BENGALURU : Field Marshal K M Cariappa Hockey Arena in Shantinagar turned into a battleground of pure passion over the weekend as the Jayanagar Kodava Sangha, in association with Hockey Karnataka, hosted OKKOOTA 2026 on Ocr 31 and Nov1.Featuring 20 teams across two packed days, the fast-paced rink hockey tournament celebrated Kodava sporting heritage while bringing generations together on the turf.The action launched on Saturday with the second edition of the Kids Rink Hockey Tournament. Twelve junior squads showcased crisp passing, slick stickwork, and unyielding grit under the event’s banner of “Play, Learn, Grow, Belong.”In a nail-biting final showdown, the Kodava Marshals (Vidyanayapura) went top-shelf to clinch the championship title, leaving a valiant Kaveri Tuskers (Jayanagar) squad with the runners-up trophy.On Sunday, the senior division raised the temperature with a high-stakes, IPL-style format. Eight teams, assembled through a worldwide online auction where global owners bid for top talent, delivered relentless five-on-five action.According to Vishwanath Belliappa, The fast-flowing play kept fans on the edge of their seats until the KAKOOT Strikers (Kodagu) put the game on ice, defeating THITH Kodavas (Jayanagar) in a blockbuster finale to lift the OKKOOTA 2026 trophy.Beyond the trophies and scoreboard heroics, OKKOOTA 2026 highlighted the deep-rooted hockey culture of the Kodava community. Organizers extended heartfelt thanks to Hockey Karnataka, team owners, volunteers, and supporters for driving grass-roots athletic development. By pairing youth opportunity with senior spectacle, the tournament bolstered the Sangha’s core vision: More Children. Stronger India.
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