Kambala Samiti focuses on timings in new set of rules

Mangaluru: The district Kambala Samiti, comprising Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Kasaragod districts, and the disciplinary committee of the Samiti have finalised a set of rules to ensure that Kambala events are completed within 24 hours. According to Samiti president Deviprasad Shetty Belapu, the new rules will focus on timings in all categories of the competitions.
The Kambala organisers, buffalo owners, and jockeys have been asked to strictly adhere to the timings and set of rules. Shetty said Kambala jockeys will be restricted to run in a maximum of three categories in each Kambala event.
From the beginning of the event till the end, a Kambala manager and one person deployed from the Samiti should be present. Separate seating arrangements will be made for buffalo owners during the time of the competition, and none will be allowed to enter the room of the referee. The referees too will work under a fixed timetable.
Further, the Kambala event must commence at 9am and conclude at 9am the following day. In the case of traditional Kambala, it should commence at 10.30am and conclude at 10.30am the following day. Thirty minutes are provided for the buffaloes to enter the kare (track).
In each category, time has been set for the competition. Accordingly, for Hagga Hiriya (10 minutes), Negilu Hiriya (nine minutes), Hagga Kiriya (seven minutes), and Negilu Kiriya (5 minutes). A timer has been installed at the venue to make the event more accurate and timelier, said Shetty.
The Kambala season will commence on Oct 26 and conclude on April 19. Kambala is a traditional buffalo race popular in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Kasaragod.