Congress MP Ajay Maken Urges Central Government to Support Kodava Family Hockey Tournament

During his questioning of Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, Ajay Maken highlighted the tournament's impressive feat. Photo Courtesy: Sansad TV/File Photo of Kodava Hockey Festival.

New Delhi: In a session of the Rajya Sabha on August 8, 2024, Congress Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka, Ajay Maken, called on the central government to provide financial assistance for the Kodava Family Hockey Tournament, an annual event held in Karnataka’s Kodagu district by the Kodava Community. Maken’s appeal came in response to the tournament’s historic achievement of earning a Guinness World Record for being the largest field hockey tournament ever held.

During his questioning of Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, Ajay Maken highlighted the tournament's impressive feat, asking whether the government was aware of this landmark achievement and what financial support, if any, had been offered or would be provided to the event.

In response, Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, said, “Sports, being a State subject, it is the responsibility of concerned State Government to take steps for promotion and development of the sports, including holding of state/district level tournaments, within the state. Hockey India has informed that Government of Karnataka gives financial support to this tournament, and that Hockey Karnataka provides the technical Support for conduct of this tournament.”

In a supplementary question, Ajay Maken asked the central government whether it would consider establishing a high-altitude sports training center in Kodagu district. In response, Dr. Mansukh L. Mandaviya, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, said that he will look into this suggestion by Ajay Maken

The Sports and Youth Affairs Minister in his reply had stated that the Government has recognized Hockey India as the National Sports Federation for promotion and development of Hockey in the country. The Kodava is a member unit of Hockey Karnataka, which is Hockey India’s Karnataka State unit. The Kodava Family Hockey Tournament is a local tournament in the state of Karnataka held under the aegis of Hockey Karnataka. The tournament was held from 30th March to 28th April, 2024 and has registered the Guinness World Record as the largest field hockey tournament with 4834 players.

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