Traditional and secular rural sport Kambala unites everyone: Siddaramaiah

CM inaugurates the third edition of Lava-Kusha Jodu Kare Naringana Kambalotsava in Ullal taluk

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday, said Kambala has been a secular and traditional sport of coastal Karnataka that unites people. It was his government that eventually lifted the ban on Kambala, he stated.

Mr. Siddaramaiah was speaking after inaugurating the third edition of Lava-Kusha Jodu Kare Naringana Kambalotsava in Ullal taluk near Mangaluru. The government, he said, was making every effort to protect and nurture the traditional sport of coastal Karnataka.

When the kambala was organised in Bengaluru by Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai and team last year, the government had sanctioned ₹1.5 crore for the same. This year, the government has released ₹5 lakh each for 24 Kambalas being held in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, he noted.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said people have a special bond with their domestic animals, be it cow, buffalo or sheep, and rear them with special care. Rearing Kambala buffaloes requires special care and attention, he said, and complimented buffalo owners.

The Chief Minister said Kambala is liked and patronised by everyone in the region irrespective of caste, creed and religion. The Congress, he said, wants to get everyone together with the message of love. After the inauguration, Mr. Siddaramaiah went close to the Kambala Kare and posed with a pair of Kambala buffaloes.

Mangaluru MLA and Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader, district in-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and others were present.

Published - January 11, 2025 10:23 pm IST