Mangaluru: The department of youth empowerment and sports has recognised the Karnataka State Kambala Association as a sports body of the state.District Kambala Samiti president Deviprasad Shetty Belapu said that based on a request, the Karnataka Sports Authority recognised the association as an authorised sports body on certain conditions. The deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada, in a letter dated Aug 30, 2024, recommended the authority to recognise the association. An agenda in this regard was discussed at a meeting of the authority chaired by chief minister Siddaramaiah on May 5, 2025.In order to promote rural sports and considering kambala as a special sporting event, the authority resolved to recognise the association, said Shetty, adding that an order in this regard was issued by the department of youth empowerment and sports on Oct 7. Commissioner for youth empowerment and sports, Chethan R, stated in an order, that the association is recognised as a sports body of the state for the next three years. The association will have to submit documents to prove its effective functioning before June 30 every year. The association should submit details of its activities, audited transactions, proceedings of the general and executive committee meetings, calendar of events, and the copy of renewal of the association as per the Karnataka Societies Registration Act,1960, to the authority, the cCommissioner stated in the order. While Deviprasad Shetty will be the president of the association, the body will have 17 other kambala patrons as its members. Shetty said that the recognition for the association will help kambala organisers to receive govt funding for events.
