Kambalas to have display boards to maintain timings

Mangaluru: With the Kambala season set to begin on November 26, the District Kambala Samiti has decided to bring in more discipline to the traditional sport, by ensuring that the Kambala organisers do not stretch the event beyond 30 hours.
In this regard, the organisers have been asked to install digital display boards at the starting point, so that time is not lost.
Samiti president Rohith Hegde Yermal told TOI, “A display board at the starting point was put up last year by Captain Brijesh Chowta, under whose leadership - Mangaluru Kambala is held at the Rama Lakshmana Jodukere in Gold Finch City. We have requested all Kambala organisers to arrange for the same this year. This way, participants will be on alert and try not to waste time in the beginning, as the audience are also watching them. Our aim is to try and wind up the Kambala events within 24 hours, however, it also depends on the number of buffalo pairs participating in the event.”
“With the growing popularity of Kambala we are expecting 250 pairs of buffaloes to run on tracks at some of the major Kambala events. Meanwhile, out of the 16 events held last year, 75% ended on time,” he said, adding that the cooperation of every individual part of the Kambala event is important to ensure that the events finish on time.
More crowds expected
Organisers are expecting more crowds, especially from across the state for the Kambala events this year. “Organisers have informed that people from outside the region are already inquiring about the dates to visit the city. Most of them would like to witness Bhoota Kola and Kambala during their visit. The enquiries have increased after the success of the Kannada movie Kantara. Hence, this season, we are expecting more crowds,” said a Kambala organiser.
Kambala in Ullal
A Kambala event on a five-acres will be held at Morla Bola on the Karnataka- Kerala border this year. MLA UT Khader said, “Kambala and Yakshagana are the eyes of coastal Karnataka and all efforts must be made to protect and encourage the art form. Kambalas were held in the taluk earlier but were stopped due to some land issues. Kambala patrons have joined together to organise it on government land.”
“Our aim is to develop a Tulu grama here and develop it into a tourist destination. In the first phase, five acres of land has been identified for this project and on this land Kambala will be held. Rs 5 lakh has been sanctioned to develop the Kambala track. Kambala experts are guiding the process and soon the date will be finalised,” he said.