Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Oct 8: In the normal course, by now, a time table for the Kambala season should have been released and the organizers should have been busy with the sport. But coronavirus has poured cold water on the enthusiasm of organizers.

It was common for the twin district Kambala committee to meet in October and then release the Kambala time table. Normally, Kambala was organized on every Saturday and Sunday from November to April. But the committee is now facing the question of whether Kambala can be held or not. As such, the preliminary meeting has not been held.

The government has not so far permitted to hold any programme where thousands of people gather. Therefore, the committee feels that it would be difficult to get the nod from the district administration. President of the committee P R Shetty plans to hold committee meeting during the first week of November, and the opinions emerging there would be placed before the district administration. Based on decisions, further steps will be taken. If permission is given, some chosen Kambala events will be held between January and March, he explained.

Kambala Unique: Just because Yaksagana is permitted, it would not be possible to rightfully demand permission to organize Kambala, because, with a hundred pairs of buffalos, over a thousand people arrive. If the government makes it mandatory to maintain social distance and wearing of masks, it is difficult to make people obey the rules. Therefore, the district administration should draft clear policies before giving permission for Kambala, says Kambala committee advisor Vijay Kumar Kanginamane.

The buffalos which are raced in Kambala were used for work in the fields in the past. Therefore they used to get good exercise. Now, the Kambala buffalos are not used for ploughing the fields. If they do not participate n Kambala for a year, their running capacity will be adversely affected. Moreover, this time about 200 junior buffalos are ready to run in the Kambala. They will get some experience if they are raced in the Kambala, experts feel.