Breaking the tradition, Five girls to participate in Kambala this year

Mangaluru: Kambala, a buffalo race and a traditionally male-dominated sport of Tulunadu is undergoing major changes as it has decided to allow five girls from Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada to be Kambala jockeys.

It is said that separate training sessions will be held for the girls after the training of male participants is completed.

K Gunapala, the convener of Dakshina Kannada Kambala Committee and founder of Kambala Academy, said that they will be trained at least for five days and they will participate with buffaloes raised at their homes

“I got several threats when I decided to include women. I felt we should give opportunities to women when they themselves are interested. Their parents too have agreed,” he added.

The training sessions began on September 19 and will be completed on October 10.

Last year, 12-year-old Chaitra Bhat had created history by joining the helpers in prepping the buffaloes in  Lava Kusha Jodukere Kambala, Miyaru.

Chaitra is training to be a jockey and practices in a 110m-long slushy track near her house.