Mangaluru : The department of youth empowerment and sports has issued an order providing an additional grant of Rs 1 crore to encourage and promote kambala.
The commissioner of the department said kambala is a traditional sport that has gained international recognition and is witnessed by lakhs of people across the state, the country and abroad. The under secretary to the department issued the order announcing the additional grant.
Organising a kambala event incurs an estimated cost of Rs 40 lakh to Rs 50 lakh for buffaloes, medals and cash prizes for jockeys. To promote the culture of Tulunadu, preserve and nurture the traditional sport, and foster sports tourism in the state, a proposal was submitted recommending a Rs 5 crore grant to cover organisation costs, provide sports kits, meet transportation expenses for buffaloes, and fund travel allowances and cash awards for runners. Due to a shortage of financial resources, the tradition of organising kambala faces the possibility of dying out.