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Kodava HockeyFestival
Uniting families through sport since 1997. A celebration of heritage, community, and the spirit of hockey.
Preserving Heritage Through Sport
The Kodava Hockey Festival stands as one of Kodagu's most iconic cultural and sporting traditions—an annual celebration that unites families, preserves heritage, and showcases the unparalleled passion of the Kodava community for hockey.
To safeguard, promote, and professionally administer this extraordinary legacy, the Kodava Hockey Academy was formally constituted in 2016 as the parent governing authority of the festival.
The Academy was founded under the visionary leadership of Founding President Pandanda Kuttappa, the legendary architect of the Kodava Hockey Festival. Together with a dedicated team of like-minded leaders, he laid the foundation for an institution committed to preserving the festival's cultural depth and sporting excellence.
Learn More About UsOur Vision
To preserve and elevate the Kodava community's rich sporting heritage by fostering unity, excellence, and youth development—while ensuring the Kodava Hockey Festival stands as a globally recognized symbol of cultural pride and athletic achievements.
What We Stand For
Unity
Bringing families, clans, and generations together through fellowship and sport.
Inspiration
Motivating youth through exemplary leadership and sporting role models.
Heritage
Preserving the cultural identity and traditions of the Kodava community.
Innovation
Embracing modern practices while honoring ancestral customs.
Integrity
Upholding fairness, transparency, and ethical leadership in every action.
Festival History
27 years of tradition, unity, and sporting excellence. From 60 families in 1997 to 383+ teams today.
Kulletira Cup
Host: Kulletira Family • Venue: Napoklu
The Kulletira family is one of the illustrious Kodava clans, known for its unwavering courage and warrior spirit in the history of Kodagu. Among its most revered figures is Kulletira Ponnanna, a legendary Kodava warrior who played a pivotal role in resisting Tipu Sultan's invasion. During Tipu Sultan's repeated attempts to capture Kodagu, the Kodavas fiercely resisted, inflicting several defeats on his army. As retaliation, Tipu slaughtered thousands of unarmed Kodavas, burned homes and destroyed temples in an attempt to crush the Kodava spirit. Despite these atrocities, Tipu's efforts to trace and capture Kulletira Ponnanna and Maniccha were futile. They remained hidden, strategizing counterattacks. When Tipu waged yet another war against Doddaveerarajendra, the then ruler of Kodagu, Ponnanna emerged on the battlefield and led the Kodavas to victory. Recognizing his exceptional military skills, Doddaveerarajendra appointed Ponnanna as the Commander-in-Chief of the Kodava army. Ponnanna continued his series of triumphs, defeating Tipu's forces multiple times. A memorial stone depicting Ponnanna's valor, symbolizing his beheading of Tipu's then 'Khilledar', once stood near Tavarekere Lake in Kushalnagar. Unfortunately, this historic monument was lost due to modern road construction for a state highway. In 2018, the Kulletira family hosted the Kodava Hockey Festival, featuring a record 334 family teams. The Chendanda family emerged victorious, defeating Anjaparavanda in the final match.
Appachettolanda Cup
Host: Appachettolanda Family • Venue: Napoklu
The Appachettolanda family traces its origins to Ball Mavathi village in the Nalnad region of Madikeri, with its establishment dating back to 1810 AD. The family's ancestral home, farm, Kaimada (sacred shrine for ancestors), and Nagandastana (snake deity worship site) continue to hold deep spiritual significance. The region of Ball Mavathi has been inhabited since 1789, with the first settlers being deity families. Over time, the family population grew, and today, the Appachettolanda clan comprises around 180 members. While the family's roots remain strong in Ball Mavathi, its members have spread across Emmemadu, Madikeri, Suntikoppa, Mysore, Bangalore, Mumbai, and even foreign countries, excelling in diverse fields. The clan has produced gazetted officers, teachers, engineers, cinema personalities, businesspeople, coffee planters and politicians — a testament to its rich heritage and progress. The 23rd Kodava Hockey Festival concluded with an exciting grand finale after a highly competitive tournament featuring 336 teams. In a thrilling match, the Kaikeri Kuppanda family, considered underdogs, defeated the three-time champions, Kulletira family. The first-time finalists, Kuppanda (Kaikeri), held their ground, managing to equalise with a goal each before securing victory in a dramatic tie-breaker, a fitting conclusion to the grand festival.
Kundyolanda Cup
Host: Kundyolanda Family
In the middle of this land lies a village called Sannakki Kolakeri that is blessed by the grace of Povvadi, the village deity. The 103 members of the Kundyolanda family are blessed to serve as Ooruthakka. The Kundyolanda Okka resides here and has been inhabiting this land since times immemorial. As revealed by the Karona himself while his spirit was possessed by Subbaiah, the Kundyolanda clan has been in existence in this village for the past 820 years. The ancestral home, the Mundhmane of the Kundyolanda clan, was built around 320 years ago. In the past, the predecessors of the family had built the Mundhmane using bamboo and sheaves of paddy. Later on, in 1965–66, this was renovated and a tiled structure was built with mud walls, wooden pillars, and a ceiling supporting it. However, the present generation rebuilt the structure of the Mundhmane in 2018 using durable construction materials like tiled flooring and painted walls while restoring its antiquity by retaining the originality of the Mundh Mane building. As the Karona of the Kundyolanda clan, Aiemmane showed great loyalty in vanquishing the enemies of the then Raja of the land. He was granted privileges such as Jamma Jahgir, Umbali and Bane lands. The family has participated in all 24 Kodava Hockey Festivals held so far. For nearly 45 years, since 1978, the family member Belliappa would be possessed by the spirits of the clan. After his death, another member of the clan, Suresh Uthappa, is now being possessed by the clan's spirits. This edition saw 360 teams participate, entering the Guinness Book of Records.
Muddanda Cup (Silver Jubilee)
Host: Muddanda Family • Venue: Madikeri
The Muddanda family carries a legacy of excellence across diverse fields. Many family members have served with distinction in the Indian Army, upholding the proud Kodava tradition of military service. Others have excelled in sports, adding to Kodagu's rich sporting heritage, while some have ventured into the entertainment industry, bringing Kodava culture to a broader audience. The family also has a strong presence in social services, with many members working tirelessly to uplift the underprivileged and contribute to the betterment of society. Beyond these contributions, several family members have built successful careers in multinational corporations and entrepreneurship, playing a key role in the economic development of the region. Their achievements reflect the versatility and ambition that define the Muddanda family. Among them, a few have risen to prominence, becoming well-known figures in Kodagu district. Their dedication to social causes and public service has led to initiatives that benefit the marginalized and less fortunate. These individuals have upheld the Muddanda family values of service, integrity and excellence, leaving a lasting impact on the community. Their work continues to inspire younger generations, ensuring that the Muddanda legacy of leadership and social commitment thrives for years to come. This edition saw 396 men's teams participate, entering the World Book of Records. For the first time, 5-a-side women's hockey was introduced with 58 teams — making inroads into the World Book of Records.
Chenanda Cup
Host: Chenanda Family
The 26th edition of the Kodava Hockey Festival, hosted by the Chenanda family, saw a record turnout with 383 men's teams and 61 women's teams competing. Kulletira lifted the trophy with Cheppudira finishing as runner-up.
Ajjikuttira Cup
Host: Ajjikuttira Family
The 27th edition of the Kodava Hockey Festival — the Ajjikuttira Cup — will be hosted by the Ajjikuttira family.
Ajjikuttira Cup — 27th Kodava Hockey Festival
Following the Chenanda Cup in 2026 — where Kulletira lifted the trophy with 383 men's and 61 women's teams in action — the Ajjikuttira Cup carries the 27th edition forward, continuing the proud tradition of bringing Kodava families together through hockey.
Pandanda Kuttappa
15 March 1935 – 2020
Born in Virajpet, Kodagu, Pandanda Kuttappa emerged from the illustrious Pandanda family. In 1997, driven by a visionary desire to unite the Kodava community and preserve its unique cultural identity, he conceived the Kodava Family Hockey Festival—an idea that would transform Indian sports culture.
A distinguished banker at State Bank of India and a senior national hockey umpire, he established the tournament with just 60 families, growing it into the world's largest field sports gathering with 454+ teams participating annually.
The festival has attracted India's greatest hockey icons including Dhanraj Pillay, Leslie Claudius, M.M. Somaya, and in 2012, Michael Nobbs (then coach of India's Olympic Hockey Team) graced the event for an exhibition match.
The Clan Legends
Athletes who have played at state level and above, bringing pride to the Kodava community
M.P. Poovamma
Athletics - 400m
Beijing & Rio Olympics, Asian Games Gold, Arjuna Award 2015
Ashwini Nachappa
Sprints
Seoul Olympics 1988, Arjuna Award 1990
Pramila Aiyappa
Heptathlon
Double Olympian (Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008)
Codanda Muthaiah
Decathlon
5x National Champion, 1958 Asian Games
Cheppudira Poonacha
Hockey
Barcelona Olympics 1992
Prajwal Mandanna
Sprints - 100m
World Junior Athletics, Asian Championship Bronze
Are You a Kodava Legend?
If you have played at state level and above in any sport, register to be featured in our Hall of Fame. We want to celebrate every Kodava athlete who has brought pride to the community.
Register as LegendContact Us
Have questions? Want to get involved? Interested in hosting a future tournament? We'd love to hear from you.