The stage is set for the 25th edition of the Kodava Hockey Festival, a tournament that has become a hallmark of Kodava heritage and India’s hockey legacy. This year, the Muddanda family has the honor of hosting the tournament, which begins on March 28 and will feature a record-breaking 370 teams competing over a month.
A Cradle of Indian Hockey
The Kodava region, also known as Coorg, has made significant contributions to Indian hockey. Often referred to as the ‘cradle of hockey’, it has produced over 50 Indian national players, including former Indian captains B.P. Govinda, M.P. Ganesh, and M.M. Somaiya.
A Historic First: Women’s Hockey 5s Tournament
Keeping with the changing hockey landscape, Kodava Hockey festival will also hold an exclusive Women’s Hockey 5s event. Over 30 teams have already registered, and the matches will take place in the final week of the festival, promising a grand spectacle.
How It All Began
The festival traces its origins to Pandanda Kuttappa, a retired banker and passionate hockey enthusiast. Seeking a way to bring Kodava families together, he launched this family-based tournament in the early 1990s. The first edition featured 60 family teams, but it quickly grew, culminating in 364 teams in 2024. A feat that earned it a place in the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest hockey tournament.
Unique Features of the Tournament
- Family-Based Teams: Only teams made up of members from the same Kodava family (surname) can participate.
- Inclusive Format: No age or gender restrictions—generations of players, from children to grandparents, take the field together.
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Star Power & Documentary Coverage
The Muddanda family’s tournament committee includes filmmaker Adyah Thimmaiah, known for the Sandalwood hockey movie Jersey No. 10. The event will be documented for an upcoming release on OTT platforms, adding to the festival’s growing legacy.
With hockey, heritage, and history coming together, the Kodava Hockey Festival 2025 promises to be a celebration like no other.
