MANGALURU: Even as the
kambala season is all set to begin in the last week of November, District
Kambala Samiti has decided not to hold day-and-night events this season due to
Covid-19 crisis. They are planning only to hold
daylong kambalas.
According to organisers, it is not possible to hold kambala events in a full-fledged manner because of the
pandemic restrictions. So the Samiti members have decided to submit a memorandum to the government seeking permission for only daylong events. “If the government gives permission, kambala events will be held at nearly 20 places in Dakshina Kannada and
Udupi districts,” said Samiti president P R Shetty.
“We will submit letters to the DCs of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts seeking permission. We want to hold kambala events strictly from morning till evening. Crowd management for such events is difficult. Ensuring social distancing between the audience and making them wear masks is a challenge. It will bring a bad name for the organisers if the virus spreads through Covid-infected persons,” Shetty said, adding each team that bring
buffaloes comprises a minimum of 15 people, including owner, jockeys and caretakers.
“We need to strictly follow Covid-19 guidelines issued by the government. Samiti will submit a memorandum to chief minister
B S Yediyurappa and other ministers seeking permission. We expect the government to allow us to hold at least day-time events that will end by evening. Considering the pandemic situation, regular round-the-clock events may be held in January,” Shetty explained.
The kambala season had begun on November 30 last year, in line with the event calendar of Samiti. While the first out of 20 kambalas was held at Kakkyapadavu in Dakshina Kannada district on November 30, the season ended with an event at Katapady Beedu in Udupi on March 28, 2020.