The Government will soon convene a meeting of stakeholders to protect and promote Kambala racing in coastal areas of Karnataka, Sports Minister K.C. Narayan Gowda informed the Legislative Council on Tuesday.
He was responding to a discussion initiated by Congress member Manjunath Bhandari, who said that the stakeholders in the centuries-old Kambala sports needed handholding from the Government. According to Mr. Bhandari, who received support from members of all parties, about 200 traditional Kambalas and 20 modern Kambalas are organised annually that attract thousands of tourists.
Urging the Government to have a common Kambala committee for both Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, he suggested that the Government could financially assist by providing ₹1 lakh to each of traditional Kambalas and ₹10 lakh to each of modern Kambala.
Recalling his association with Kambala events, the Minister said that he was aware of the problem, and that he would convene the meeting of stakeholders to find solution.