Madikeri: Kodagu does not have appropriate or adequate sports infrastructure though the tiny district has produced innumerable sporting icons over the years. Hence, the Union Government must establish a Sports University in Kodagu to give a platform for thousands of emerging sportspersons from Kodagu and also to encourage sportsmen from other districts of Karnataka. 

This demand emerged at a meeting of Federation of Kodava Samajas at Balugodu Samaja premises near Virajpet recently. Explaining the need for a Sports University in Kodagu, the participants of the meeting said that Kodagu district had contributed thousands of sportspersons to the State and to the Nation.

Every village in Kodagu has sports talents in abundance but the budding sportspersons lack encouragement, state-of-the-art facilities and professional training. This way, several sports talents are being ignored, speakers at the meeting said. 

Over 50 players from Kodagu have represented Indian hockey team till date. Not only hockey, the district has produced brilliant sportspersons in other disciplines like athletics, tennis and badminton too. Hockey is encouraged in Kodagu with many tournaments including Kodava Hockey Festival taking place around the year. But  other sports lack facilities and encouragement. 

Kodagu has sports hostels but the facilities available are not adequate. There is a potential for swimming, squash, kabaddi, badminton champions to emerge from the district if proper training and facilities are given, the speakers said. 

If at all the Sports University is established in Kodagu, there will be many state-of-the-art stadiums, and training camps can be conducted by Karnataka State Olympics Association. “The                                                                Central Government is enthusiastic about starting a Sports University in Mizoram. As Kodagu has given innumerable sports achievers to the nation, we must ask for a Sports University to our district,” they said. 

Establishment of such a University will enable youngsters and emerging sports champions from Kodagu to experience high level competition where national players and international legends and coaches will come to Kodagu and interact with young talents here. 

The meeting resolved to urge the Union Government to establish a Sports University in Kodagu. Former Minister Meriyanda C. Nanaiah, Federation President Kallichanda Vishnu Cariappa, Joint Secretary Mederira Naveen, former President Mallengada Dada Belliappa and others were present.