Historic Win for Pandanda Bopanna’s Team In Kodava Hockey Academy Election
- Kodagu Express Bureau
- Sep 28
- 2 min read
Virajpet: In a historic development for Kodava hockey, Pandanda K. Bopanna and his team were declared winners in the Kodava Hockey Academy elections conducted on Sunday, September 28. This marks the first time since the Academy’s establishment that elections have been organised, adding a new chapter to its celebrated journey.
The Kodava Hockey Academy has long been at the forefront of promoting family hockey in Kodagu, a tradition that has become an inseparable part of the district’s cultural identity. The movement began in 1997 with the Pandanda Cup, introduced by Pandanda Kuttappa, who is fondly remembered as the architect of the Kodava family hockey festival.
Editor’s Note
The Kodagu Express team warmly congratulates Pandanda K. Bopanna and his colleagues on their victory in the Kodava Hockey Academy’s first-ever elections. Carrying forward the legacy of the late Pandanda Kuttappa, we are confident the Academy under his leadership will further strengthen Kodava hockey and continue to inspire future generations.
-Managing Editor
What started with just 60 teams nearly three decades ago has grown into a massive sporting celebration, with as many as 396 families now taking part. The scale and uniqueness of the tournament have earned it recognition in the Guinness World Records, Limca Book of Records, and the World Book of Records, placing Kodava hockey on the global sporting map.
For the Kodava community, hockey is not merely a game but a unifying tradition that strengthens bonds across families. Kuttappa, a first-division referee and former employee of the State Bank of India, envisioned this tournament as a platform for unity through sport. His efforts transformed a modest local event into one of the largest family hockey festivals worldwide.
Carrying this vision forward, his son, Pandanda K. Bopanna, now leads the Academy, vowing to sustain the legacy and inspire future generations of Kodava hockey enthusiasts.
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