Uncles, cousins, brothers and nephews who otherwise barely see each other are now part of a team effort. The tourney has brought together fractured families, and helped bury ancient animosities. So you have internationals, who have won the India cap, rubbing shoulders with teenagers who compensate with passion for what they lack in skill. Each team is made up of members of a particular family. Said Hemchandra Jhaveri, COO of Nike India which is sponsoring the tourney this time: "Nike salutes the zeal and the spirit of the Kodavas." Tournament chairman M U Mohan Aiyappa said on the eve of the tournament, "we have been able to take our local event to unprecedented heights and look forward to some great game being played here." This community tournament, jointly conducted by the organising family and the Kodava Hockey Academy, has been talk of the town more for its unique features and the manner in which it is conducted. Its representatives were present to witness this unique tournament this time. And now, with 226 teams, it has drawn the attention of the Guinness Book of World Records. Following a successful tournament in 1999, the 2000 tournament, conducted by Cheppudira family saw as many as 170 family teams participating.
Pandanda family organised the first tournament with 68 teams followed by Kodira in 1998 with 120 teams. There were sniggers when this concept was discussed with the top guns of the community but Kuttappa went ahead with the idea and a unique tournament was born. This family tournament dates back to 1997 when Pandanda Kuttappa and his brother thought of having a common platform where all the Kodavas could come together and play the game they love most.
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