Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Nov 14: Though various activities are permitted under unlock guideline, Kambala, the popular traditional sport of coastal Karnataka, is still not given permission. In this context, Kambala Samiti of undivided district of Dakshina Kannada district met district in-charge minister Kota Srinivas Poojary on Friday and submitted an appeal.

Minister Kota Poojary said, "According to the prevailing Covid unlock guidelines there is no permission to hold events where more than 200 people will participate. So it is impossible to give permission to hold Kambala at present. The union government is going to release new guidelines towards the end of November and there is a possibility that there will be some changes in that. Following that, permission will be given to hold Kambala towards the end of December or in the month of January 2021."

Honorary president of the Kambala Samiti Barkur Shantharama Shetty, president P R Shetty, vice president Naveenchandra Alva, immediate past chief secretary Vijaya Kumar Kanginamane, president of Mangaluru Kambala Capt Brijesh Chowta, chief secretary Sujit Pratap and Mucchooru Lokesh Shetty were present.

The district Kambala Samiti has called an emergency meeting on November 15 at Hotel Ocean Pearl of the city. It is expected that discussion will be done in this meeting with regards to conducting Kambala under Covid guidelines if approval is given in January 2021.

Dr Rajendra K V, deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada said, "So far I have not received any appeal for holding Kambala sport. So no decision is taken in this regard. Once I receive the appeal, according to the government guidelines, the matter will be looked into."