Ashwini Nachappa Fulfills 12-Year Dream with New Hockey Turf in Kodagu
In the heart of Kodagu, a district where hockey is deeply embedded in the cultural fabric, former athletics champion Ashwini Nachappa has realized a long-held vision. Through her Ashwini Sports Foundation, she has inaugurated a state-of-the-art artificial hockey turf at the Karaumbiah Academy for Learning and Sports (KALS) in Gonikoppal. This project, commemorating 100 years of Indian hockey, aims to rejuvenate the sport in a region once celebrated as its cradle.
A Decade-Long Journey to Completion
The journey to this milestone spanned nearly 12 years, marked by determination and resilience. Ashwini and her husband, Datha Karaumbiah, a former Indian junior hockey player, initially explored a partnership with the government to develop the facility. However, political obstacles derailed those plans at the last minute. Undeterred, they pressed forward, leveraging support from sports philanthropists and personal funding to bring their dream to life.
"We really wanted to build something meaningful as part of our foundation’s infrastructure," Ashwini, an Arjuna Awardee, explained. "It was a dream that took shape long ago, and we are happy to see it become a reality finally," added Datha. The foundation already boasted facilities like a synthetic track and a shooting range, but the absence of a dedicated hockey turf in a district prolific with hockey talent was a glaring gap they sought to fill.
Infrastructure Designed for Excellence
Constructed at a cost of just over Rs. 5 crore, the new facility features a full-sized artificial turf, a warm-up area, advanced drainage systems, and spectator galleries currently under construction. Notably, the couple opted for an Indian-made turf from Maverick, the same provider used for their athletics track, to keep costs manageable and support local industry.
"This is not something done for the sake of it. We’ve built it with a purpose — to develop grassroots hockey players at the base of the pyramid," Ashwini emphasised. The turf is strategically placed within KALS but will be accessible to all aspiring players upon prior permission, ensuring it serves the broader community.
Star-Studded Inauguration and Future Plans
The inauguration in December last year was a grand affair, coinciding with the Masters Cup invitational inter-school tournament. It attracted hockey legends such as Olympic gold medallist MM Somaya, former India captains Dhanraj Pillay and Dilip Tirkey, and internationals like BK Subramani, AB Subbaiah, VR Raghunath, and CS Poonacha. Ashwini expressed gratitude for their presence and plans to involve them in future programs to inspire young athletes.
Looking ahead, the foundation aims to transform the facility into a feeder system for higher levels of hockey. "We want more players to emerge from here and go on to represent Karnataka and India," Ashwini asserted, noting a decline in national team representation from the region. She has approached Hockey India to host age-group tournaments, further cementing the turf's role in nurturing talent.
Reviving a Legacy Through Grassroots Investment
For Ashwini and Datha, this project transcends mere infrastructure; it is an investment in the future of hockey. By providing free education to excelling children and subsidizing various initiatives, the foundation underscores its commitment to holistic development. In a place where almost every household has a hockey connection, this new turf symbolizes a revival of legacy, ambition, and belief, promising to reignite the passion that once made Kodagu a powerhouse of Indian hockey.
