Schedule for YIFA hockey trophy released

Madikeri: Former minister MP Appachu Ranjan urged Kodagu landowners not to sell agricultural land, saying sports and agriculture are deeply rooted in the district's culture.He spoke after releasing the schedule on Tuesday for the YIFA Hockey Champions Trophy, organised by the Young Indian Farmers Association, to be held from May 7 to 10 at the synthetic turf ground in Somwarpet. Ranjan said that during his tenure as sports minister, funds were provided for astroturf hockey grounds in Somwarpet, Kudige and Ponnampet to support Kodagu's hockey players. He said it was encouraging that well-equipped grounds were developed in all three places and that state-level tournaments were now being hosted there. YIFA president Srinidhi Lingappa said the association was formed by like-minded people who came together for relief work during the Kodagu floods and later expanded into broader social service activities. He said this was the first state-level hockey tournament to be organised in Kodagu in 25 years. Participating teams include Canara Bank, Karnataka State Police, AGORC, South Western Railways, Customs, DYES, Southern Command and host team YIFA. The winning team will receive Rs 2 lakh and a trophy, the runners-up Rs 1 lakh and a trophy, and the third place team Rs 50,000 and a trophy. The event was attended by YIFA vice-president Harshit Shivappa, secretary Sajan Mandanna, treasurer Mohit Thimmaiah and office-bearers and members of the women's unit.