Pandanda K. Bopanna to Continue as Lifetime President of Kodava Hockey Academy

The decision was taken at the academy's general body meeting held recently at the Kodava Samaja hall in Virajpet.

Virajpet: Pandanda K. Bopanna, son of Kodava Hockey Festival founder Pandanda Kuttappa, will continue as the lifetime president of the Kodava Hockey Academy in recognition of his father's contribution to the development of hockey among the Kodava community.

The decision was taken at the academy's general body meeting held recently at the Kodava Samaja hall in Virajpet, under the chairmanship of Pandanda K. Bopanna. During discussions on comprehensive amendments to the academy's bylaws, a proposal was made to include a provision allowing Bopanna to continue as lifetime president. Following deliberations, the proposal was approved by a majority.

Bollera Prithvi requested that non-Kodava guests attending academy functions, including the opening and closing ceremonies of the hockey festival, should not be required to wear traditional Kodava attire. The meeting unanimously approved the request.

Meanwhile, going forward, video referrals at every edition of the hockey festival will be managed by the academy. Plans are also underway to launch a YouTube channel to livestream hockey matches. The academy has already created an Instagram page, which has 18,800 followers. A website will be launched shortly, providing information, photographs and other details of all the hockey festivals held so far, Bopanna said.

The academy is also discussing insurance coverage for players to meet medical expenses in the event of injuries sustained during matches, the president said.

Bopanna also informed the meeting that the academy had purchased a two-acre plot at Kakotuparambu for ₹24 lakh, with the property registered in the academy's name. An academy building will be constructed on the site at an estimated cost of ₹80 lakh. Efforts are also underway to obtain 10 to 15 acres of government land.

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