The Kadri Kambla and traditional sports were conducted here on Kadri to enthusiastic participation from local people.
Traditional sports such as kesaru-gadde ota (slush field race), tug-of-war, and newer varieties such as looking for treasure buried in a heap of sand, were held on the field apart from the traditional buffalo race.
S. Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, Dakshina Kannnada District Kannada Sahitya Parishat president and member of the Kadri Kambla Samiti, said the traditional sports were introduced a few years ago because the competition had very few takers as it was organised in the city.
Around 10 teams participated in the kambla this year. The first place was won by Ramlan Guruvayanakere and second by Narayanappa Salian. he competitions saw modest but enthusiastic participation from the local people.
The arrangements left a lot to be desired as the organisers occasionally pushed the spectators back as they had not erected barricades and allow the competitions to be held smoothly.
For instance, before the sand treasure hunt was about to begin, there was some confusion as the barricades sponsored by a company had to be shifted amidst the crowd.
The girls who stood around the heap of sand had a tough time in digging out the little knickknacks, which according to the master of ceremonies, were worth Rs. 20,000 and sponsored by a politician. The competition was then held even for boys.
Winner of the tug-of-war competition Mohini Bangera said that she and all the members of her team from Padukere had been participating in competitions for around 10 years. Except ofcourse, when they got married. Then they disappear for a year, before returning to the team, she said. “If we win national-level competitions, then we throw a party. The people of our village support us a lot,” Ms. Bangera added. The race for girls aged below 12 attracted a lot of attention because one of the girls, barely three-foot tall, was led by the hand across the slushy field to the starting point of the race.
Unable to walk, the little girl fell and found it difficult to walk but managed to reach the starting point with the help of an older girl.
