World’s biggest field hockey festival kickstarts in Kodagu

The 23rd edition of the Kodava Hockey Festival began at General Thimmaiah Stadium in Napoklu, Kodagu.

Considered the world’s biggest field hockey event, the festival will see 336 teams participating this time.

It was started in 1997 with 60 teams.

While the first tourney was organised by the Pandanda family, this time it is the Appachettolanda family.

The winning team gets prize money of ₹3 lakh and runners up ₹2 lakh.