Calling sports funding a “government responsibility, not a favour”, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday signalled stronger institutional backing for grassroots sporting traditions at the grand finale of the 26-day Chenanda Hockey Festival in Napoklu.
Addressing a large gathering at the General Thimayya Stadium, Mr. Mandaviya praised Kodagu’s unique hockey culture, noting that the Kodava community had long exemplified how sport can foster unity well before such principles gained global recognition.
Published – May 02, 2026 07:30 pm IST


