Madikeri: ‘Kodava Namme,’ the annual cultural and sports festival organised by the Federation of Kodava Samajas will be held from Nov. 16 to 19 at Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Cultural Centre at Balugodu in Virajpet, Kodagu.

The four-day festival will begin with the inauguration of the hockey tournament, said Federation President Kallichanda Vishnu Cariappa. Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Madikeri on Monday, he said that the hockey match will be held between different Kodava Samajas and four matches will be played on the first day on Nov. 16. 

On Nov. 17, there will be another four matches and the first semifinal will be played on Nov. 18 and the second semifinal will be played at 2 pm on Nov. 18. After the first semifinal, respects will be paid to the war memorial constructed by the Kodava Samajas and Maj. Gen (Retd.) Bachamanda Cariappa will be the chief guest. 

This apart, events like tug-of-war, shot put, coconut shooting will be held for both men and women. On Nov. 19, different Kodava Samajas will present cultural programmes in five different venues within the Balugodu campus. The finals of the hockey match will be held on Nov. 19 followed by prize distribution. 

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha, Virajpet MLA A.S. Ponnanna, Madikeri MLA Dr. Manthar Gowda and MLC Suja Kushalappa will be present as guests. 

Federation Secretary Vaterira Shankari Poovaiah, Convener Kambiranda Kittu Kalappa, Food Committee President Kumbera Manukumar, Sports Committee President Thambukuthira Madhu Mandanna, Technical Committee Director Achakalira Palangappa, member Pattada Manu Ramachandra, Cultural Committee Convener Boliyangada Dadu Poovaiah were present.