Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, Feb 6: “Kambala is the traditional sports of our land. But it should not remain only as a sport. It should be a festival that reflects our culture. Kambala should be celebrated as a festival to promote tourism,” said BJP state spokesperson Capt Ganesh Karnik at the preliminary meeting of fourth year’s Mangaluru Kambala held at Suthumudi Saudha chaired by committee president Captain Brijesh Chowta on Saturday February 6. Kambala will be held in Mangaluru on March 6.

Capt Karnik said that this is the only Kambala that is being held in Mangaluru. “It should be in the form of a Tuluva festival for the people. Exhibitions of the culture and tradition of Tulunadu and competitions when held, will be an inspiration for people of all ages to participate. The Kambala will also be attractive. Such festivals should be held to promote tourism,” he said.

District Kambala committee president P R Shetty Poyyelu said that the politicians in the district had supported across party lines when the Kambala was being banned last time. “Ganesh Karnik, Sadananda Gowda and Congress and BJP leaders had supported us. They have held discussions with officials when Kambala was said to be impossible due to Covid and made it possible this time,” he said.

Capt Brijesh Chowta said that the cooperation of all is necessary to convert it as a signature event. “The cooperation of Kambala fans, government, people and various organizations will be required to convert the Kambala that is being conducted mainly by the youth as a festival. We are thinking of conducting Kambala in the form of a cultural festival in the future. I thank the deputy commissioner, MP, district in-charge minister and all the MLAs in the district for having granted permission for Kambala this time,” he said.

District Kambala committee chief secretary Vijayakumar Kanginamane, government of India social justice ministry member Bhaskerdas Ekkar, Christian Development Board chairman Joylus D’Souza, Mangaluru corporation member Radhakrishna, Kiran Kumar Kodikal, Sandeep Garodi, Bharath Kumar, Kambala committee executive president Nandan Mallya, chief secretary Sujith Pratap, convener Sachin Shetty, treasurer Preetham Rai and committee members were present.