Puttur: Government to allot Rs 1 crore annually to promote Kambala - Sadananda Gowda
Arun Uppinangady
Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (VM)
Puttur, Mar 17: "With the view of preserving and promoting the Kambala culture in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district, the government has decided to allot Rs one crore every year. The government is also planning to introduce insurance and medical policy facilities to people who are related to Kambala," said former chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda.
He addressed the gathering during Vijaya-Vikrama Jodukere Kambala held on the banks of Netravathi River on Saturday March 16.
"Without aid from the government, Kambala was seen losing its value. With this intention, the government in its budget planned to allot Rs 3 lac to every Kambala, altogether amounting to Rs 1 crore. The achievers of Kambala have been honored with state awards. Presently the government is working towards in the interest of Kambala riders and referees," he said.
MP Nalin Kumar in his address said the much-needed encouragement to Kambala by the government in terms of finance was granted during the Sadananda Gowda regime in the state. "The central government should also recognize Kambala as a national sport," he demanded.
M N Rajendra Kumar, president of SCDCC Bank, Sanjeeva Matandoor, Campco director, film producer Kanthi Shetty and Chandrahaas Shetty were the guests of honour.
Kambala committee president Ashok Kumar Rai in his welcome address thanked chief minister Sadananda Gowda for introducing benefit plans for Kambala sport. "In this Kambala, as many as 127 pairs of buffaloes will take part, which has inspired us to organize the sports in a grand manner in coming years," he said.
The programme was compered by honorary advisor Niranjan Rai Matantabettu.
Umesh Shenoy, honorary president of Kambala committee, Poovaje Kushalappa Gowda, Keshava Bhandary Kaipa, Seetharam Shetty, Kangwe Vishwanatha Shetty, Ramachandra Maniyaani, Chandrashekar Madivala, IGP Pratap Reddy and his family were present to watch the sport.