PHOENIX (United States): Kodavas of America, under the aegis of newly formed ''Kodava Field Hockey Association of USA'', are participating for the first time in the Cactus Classic Tournament in Phoenix, Arizona on January 30-31.
Spokesperson Appachu Ballachanda said: “'This is just the beginning. We want to use this as a stepping stone to build and promote field hockey amongst Kodavas outside of India who have played before in their lifetime or start new and continue on the tradition of playing hockey outside their motherland. Many of us have played hockey sometime in our school or college years and want to revive the game further so we keep up with our rich hockey playing tradition but also have fun while doing so.”
“To being with we are fielding an all Kodava team lead by Madhu Muruvanda to play at the Cactus Classic tournament that will be competing with teams from Vancouver, Toronto, San Jose, Mexico and Dallas. All the Kodavas of Phoenix have provided overwhelming support for this effort by contributing financially for the hockey gears, travel, stay. Many Kodavas from different parts of USA have signed up to play for the tournament,'' he said.
On their future plans plans, Appachu said: “Going ahead we want to have an all American Kodava team called ”Team Coorg" that can participate in at least 2-3 tournaments in a year around Americas (Canada and USA) as there are several tournaments that are being held by US field hockey Association (USFHA). Selectively East & West Coast players can participate in tournaments under the "Team Coorg" banner drawing willing players from different regions based on the availability and convenience.”
“We have plans to get two players from Kodagu every year for one of the tournament so that it would help us to have a better team in the United States and also will be an incentive for players from Kodagu to get international exposure,” Appachu added.
Players participating in the tournament include:
Madhu Muruvanda - Phoenix, AZ
Appachu Ballachanda - Phoenix, AZ
Dr.Madappa Kundaranda - Phoenix, AZ
Bopanna Malchira - Tuscon, AZ
Gautam Puliyanda - Sanjose, CA
Aiyappa Mandepanda - Sanjose, CA
Sachin Ajjikuttira - Detroit, MI
Nitin Poyyetira - New York, NY
Vikram Mandepanda- Los Angeles, CA
Kiran Alemada- Pittsburgh,PA
Vanuja Kottukathira – Spring, TX
Neeraj Mallengada - Houstan, TX
8 comments:
Way to go Appachu & good luck team!! :)
good moove, proud of you--all good wishes to the team
great news. all the best...but make sure you don't include Pakistani players into team...Team Coorg of Muscat has one Pakistani player in their team. so sad.
Somz.. Are Pak Players not humans. They play for the love of the game. We play in Kuwait... we have 8 teams out of that 3 teams are from Pak. we have around 6000 pple from coorg... but i am the only one in the ground to play hockey. So hope this eg. is good enough for the love of the game.
Be happy & encourage.... bcos the game is alive.... see what happend to team india Hockey men & womens team.....National game...right
Somz, whats wrong pak palayer in team coorg muscat ? are u a player/hockey lover. Are u a Bangladeshi ? don,t be reciest ? if u are based at Muscat why don't join team coorg. So sad pity on you.
SOMAZ,
do you follow hockey, PHL(India) teams have Pak players including "Bglr lions". Players from Pak,bangladesh,holand,german and also Omani malayali,manglorin play for team coorg, they play for the love of the game not for fame. be a sportsman and apperciate the game instead of commenting on any national.
Dear Somz
I can't help but comment. 'Small minds, small talks'
It's the passion for the game that drives it to greater heights and surely not the origin of the player. As a regular in the Team Coorg Muscat, pratice sessions, this is my open invitation to all with passion for the game of hockey to join us. Somz, leave the small talks behind and pick up your stick and join us. I'm sure, you know the location, if you are a resident of muscat.
It's time that the game of hockey needed revival and it's great that Kodavas are doing that. Even what's happening in Kodagu as a family hockey tournament is remarkable. All the best to Americoorgs!
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