Pics: Spoorthi Ullal 
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
 
Mangalore, Nov 6: The renowned traditional sport of Tulunadu, 'Korikatta', has been highlighted many a times for all the wrong reasons.

The chief secretary of newly commissioned Tulu Samskrithi Samrakshana Matthu Samvardhana Trust stated that, "Gambling during the cockfight event should be detached from the age old sports event and legal norms must be obtained with the permission to organize the cockfight event. It should be simplified in order to support and sustain the traditional sport of tulunadu".

In case police raids take place during any cockfight events, they will be defied amicably, stated the chief secretary of newly commissioned Tulu Samskrithi Samrakshana Matthu Samvardhana Trust, here at a press conference held on Monday November 5.
 
He told reporters that although the district administration grants permission to organize cockfight events heeding the request by the organizers; the same is not granted in writing format. Hence raids by police during the event is not ‘fair’ and the act of cops will be opposed with the support of the trust.
 
He said that various traditional practices like 'Daivaradhane', 'Bhootharadhane', 'Nagaradhane', 'Kambala' and cockfight is the lifestyle and culture of tuluvas, they should not be hampered.
 
He informed that the Tulu Samskrithi Samrakshana Matthu Samvardhana Trust is formed with only the object of retaining the essence of Tulu culture while the membership fees, donations and government’s grant received by the trust will be utilized for betterment of tulu people and culture.

Already 1000 members have registered their names with the trust cutting across their political party and the membership strength may reach up to 10,000 very soon, he said. Membership fees is priced at Rs 250, he said.
 
Responding to a query which stated that many pro-language and other organizations’ members are engaged in illegal activities of threatening and other issues, he said that the all the office bearers of the newly commenced trust are reputed personalities in the society, and many of them are known faces in the political arena and hence he ruled out such possibilities.
 
ZP member Santhosh Kumar said that during one of the cockfight events that took place in Ganapathi Katta in Kurnadu village of Bantwal taluk, no gambling took place during the cockfight, however last year the police raided and ruined the festive glory, he rued. Henceforth such raids should not be initiated, he urged.
 
Bhasker Manipal, honorary president, Udupi district, Shashiraj Shetty, Raviraj Rai, PA Rahim, Sadashiva Shetty among others were present during the press meet.