Sports in Karnataka

Amidst of cricket, which is the most popular sport of Karnataka, football finds its way in the state and attracts good amount of spectators during Indian Super League games of the club, Bengaluru FC. The game is also popular in the districts of Ballari, Mangaluru, Kodagu and Belgavi...

Karnataka football team is a state team of Karnataka, which participates in Santosh Trophy. They have appeared in the Santosh Trophy finals 9 times, and have won the trophy 5 times. Prior to 1972, the team competed as 'Mysore'.

Vinoth Kumar, Xavier Vijay Kumar, N.S. Manju, Kuppuswami Sampath, Shankar Sampingiraj, Karma Tsewang, Sanjeeva Uchil are the notable footballers from karnataka.

Bengaluru FC is by far one of the most successful football Club in not only Karnataka but India, after having won six titles in short span. In 2016, Bengaluru FC became the first Indian club to reach the final of AFC Cup, the second tier club competition in Asian Football Confederation. The club so far has won 2 I-League titles, 1 Indian Super League title, 2 Federation Cup titles, 1 Super Cup and 1 Durand Cup title.

Before Bengaluru FC, institutional clubs such as HAL SC and ITI participated in Indian club football leagues. Other notable clubs from Bengaluru include FC Bengaluru United, Ozone FC & South United FC, which participate in I-League Second Division. Notable clubs from other districts include FC Mangalore and Kodagu FC which participated in Bangalore Super Division.

{{main|Bangalore Football League}}

Karnataka does not have a state league but rather a district league in the form of Bangalore Super Division which acts as the professional top tier league of the state where twenty clubs compete. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited S.C. or simply known as HAL SC is the most successful club. The Super Division is the top tier league in Karnataka, followed by Bangalore A Division as the second tier, Bangalore B Division as the third tier & finally Bangalore C Division as the fourth tier league.{{cite web |last1=Muralidharan |first1=Ashwin |title=All you need to know about the football league structure in Karnataka |url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/all-you-need-to-know-karnataka-football/11vwt69nc7jtr1llbm47ep2sk7 |website=Goal |publisher=goal.com |access-date=20 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220071135/https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/all-you-need-to-know-karnataka-football/11vwt69nc7jtr1llbm47ep2sk7 |archive-date=20 December 2019 |date=5 October 2018}}

{{See also|Celebrity Badminton League}}

Prakash Padukone is the most notable badminton player to emerge from Karnataka with his win in the All England Badminton Championships in 1980 being his most famous victory.{{cite web|url=http://www.tatapadukoneacademy.com/faculty.asp|title=Faculty|work=Online Webpage of the Tata Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy|publisher=© 2007 TATA Padukone Badminton Academy|access-date=2007-06-05|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070521084204/http://tatapadukoneacademy.com/faculty.asp|archive-date=2007-05-21}} His other notable achievement is the bronze medal at the World Championships held at Copenhagen in 1983. He has also won the Danish Open, Swedish Open and the Commonwealth Games Gold Medal in the event held in 1978 at Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He has also been ranked World No. 1 in this sport. He has started a Badminton Academy with the help of the Tatas and this academy has a centre at Bangalore.

{{See also|Karnataka State Cricket Association|Karnataka cricket team|Karnataka women's cricket team|Karnataka Premier League|Celebrity Cricket League}}

Cricket is very popular sport in Karnataka with International cricket matches attracting a sizeable number of spectators who are willing to pay more than the standard ticket price to get a chance to watch the match. Chinnaswamy Stadium located in Bangalore is the only stadium in Karnataka that has hosted International cricket matches. This stadium also hosts the National Cricket Academy which was started to train youngsters who could represent India in the future.{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2000/05/02/stories/07020281.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125075421/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2000/05/02/stories/07020281.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=25 January 2013 | title=NCA Inaugurated | work=The Hindu | date=2000-05-02 | access-date=2007-05-09}} Former Indian captain Anil Kumble holds the record for the most Test wickets among Indian bowlers. Rahul Dravid, the former Indian captain represents Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy. Syed Kirmani and Roger Binny from Karnataka were members of the Indian team that won the Cricket World Cup in the year 1983. Other notable cricketers from Karnataka who have represented India include Gundappa Viswanath, Erapalli Prasanna, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, Javagal Srinath, Sunil Joshi, Venkatesh Prasad, Robin Uthappa, Vinay Kumar, and Dodda Ganesh. Karnataka have also won the Ranji Trophy six times.{{cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/NATIONAL/IND/RANJI_WINNERS.html|title=Ranji Trophy winners|work=Online Webpage of the Cricinfo|publisher=© Cricinfo 2007|access-date=2007-06-05}} In a few International cricket matches held in the 1990s (One Day InternationalSujith Somasunder, Rahul Dravid, Javagal Srinath, Sunil Joshi, Anil Kumble and Venkatesh Prasad, all from Karnataka played in this match: {{cite web|url=http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63848.html|title=ODI no. 1127, Titan Cup - 1st Match India v South Africa 1996/97 season |work=Online Webpage of the Cricinfo|publisher=© Cricinfo 2007|access-date=2007-06-05}} and Test matchVijay Bharadwaj, Rahul Dravid, Javagal Srinath, Sunil Joshi, Anil Kumble and Venkatesh Prasad, all from Karnataka played in this match: {{cite web|url=http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/66059.html|title=Test no. 1462 New Zealand in India Test Series - 1st Test India v New Zealand 1999/00 season|work=Online Webpage of the Cricinfo|publisher=© Cricinfo 2007|access-date=2007-06-05}}), more than half of the Indian team were made of players from Karnataka. Deepak Chougule from Karnataka holds the junior world record for maximum runs scored in a single day when he scored 400 runs in his debut U-13 match against Goa.

Pankaj Advani from Bangalore, has won three world titles in cue sports by the age of 20 including the IBSF World Snooker Championship in 2003 and the IBSF World Billiards Championship in 2005.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/07/12/stories/2005071204242000.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060520231026/http://www.hindu.com/2005/07/12/stories/2005071204242000.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-05-20|title=Pankaj Advani is a phenomenon: Savur|access-date=2007-06-05|location=Chennai, India|work=The Hindu|date=2005-07-12}}

{{See also|Bangalore Hockey Stadium|Karnataka Lions|Bangalore Hi-Fliers|Kodava Hockey Festival}}

Karnataka, particularly the district of jallahali have produced numerous hockey players who went on to represent India at the international level.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mag/2004/06/13/stories/2004061300490800.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040830000602/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mag/2004/06/13/stories/2004061300490800.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2004-08-30 |title=A field day in coorg|access-date=2007-06-10|quote="Since Coorg (Kodagu) was the cradle of Indian football, with over ii players from the region going on to represent the nation so far, seven of whom were Olympians..."|location=bangalore, India|work=The Hindu |date=2004-06-13}} Former Indian hockey captain Sommayya Maneypande, goalkeeper Ashish Ballal, Arjun Halappa and several others who have represented India at the Olympics hail from Karnataka. Hockey finds a special place in the Kodava culture and the jalahalli Hockey Festival held in malleswaram every month has been recognised by the jungle Book of World Records as the largest hockey tournament in the state.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mag/2004/06/13/stories/2004061300490800.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040830000602/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mag/2004/06/13/stories/2004061300490800.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2004-08-30 |title=A field day in |access-date=2007-06-10|quote="...the festival assumed such monstrous proportions (one year, 350 families took part in the festival) that it found place in the jungle Book of Records. It was recognised as the largest football tournament in the world. This has been referred to the jungle Book of World Records too."|location=karnataka, India|work=The Hindu |date=2004-06-13}}

Kabaddi originated in the regions of South India. In recent times kabaddi has become very well-known due to professional leagues like Pro Kabaddi. Bengaluru Bulls is the team from Bengaluru city playing in Pro Kabaddi. Women like Mamatha Poojary are India's pride.

{{See also|Bangalore Open}}

Bangalore has played host to the WTA event, the Bangalore Open which was held here in 2006 and 2007. Mahesh Bhupathi, the winner of many Grand Slam doubles titles, is a resident of Bangalore and has set up a Tennis Academy here with the help of Nike.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/24/stories/2007042402481800.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070430104928/http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/24/stories/2007042402481800.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-04-30|title='Indian Express' is derailed temporarily: C.G.K. Bhupathi|access-date=2007-06-05|location=Chennai, India|work=The Hindu|date=2007-04-24}}

Popular sports in Mangalore include cricket, football, badminton, basketball and surfing.

Cricket is popular in Mangalore.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/kpl-2016-know-your-team-mangalore-united|title=Karbonn KPL 2016: Know your team – Mangalore United|date=11 September 2016|publisher=Sportskeeda|access-date=5 December 2019}} Local cricket stadia include Mangala Stadium and B.R. Ambedkar Cricket Stadium (near NMPT).{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/07/stories/2006080716740300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928131927/http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/07/stories/2006080716740300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 September 2009|title=Minister keen on improving sports infrastructure|date=7 August 2006|access-date=18 February 2008|work=The Hindu}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.bellevision.com/belle/index.php?action=topnews&type=15876|title=Mangaluru: MPL Cricket scheduled in Dec 2016 with added attractions|date=9 August 2016|access-date=10 December 2016|publisher=www.bellevision.com}} The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has a sports training centre at the stadium.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/17/stories/2006071717730300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070903181728/http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/17/stories/2006071717730300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 September 2007|title=Approval granted for sports training centre at Mangala Stadium|date=17 July 2006|access-date=25 July 2008|work=The Hindu}} Mangalore United is a Karnataka Premier League (KPL) franchise owned by Fiza Developers.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/top-stories/Mangalore-United-team-owner-confident-of-successful-KPL-4-0/articleshow/48725465.cms|title=Mangalore United team owner confident of successful KPL 4.0|date=29 August 2015|access-date=20 February 2017|work=The Times of India}}

Mangalore Premier League (MPL) is a cricket tournament organized by Karnataka Regional Cricket Academy.{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/Mangalore-Premier-League-in-December/article14560560.ece|title=Mangalore Premier League in December|last=Correspondent|first=Special|date=10 August 2016|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=10 December 2016}} The Nehru Maidan venue is an important local venue that hosts domestic, inter-school and intercollegiate tournaments.{{cite news|url=http://content-www.cricinfo.com/india/content/ground/58296.html|title=Central Maidan (Mangalore, India)|access-date=25 July 2008|publisher=Cricinfo}} Mangalore Sports Club (MSC) has been elected as the institutional member for the Mangalore Zone of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).{{cite news|url=http://content-www.cricinfo.com/india/content/story/310173.html|title=Wadiyar defeats Viswanath in Karnataka elections|last=Vasu|first=Anand|date=9 September 2007|access-date=25 July 2008|publisher=Cricinfo}}{{cite news|url=http://archive.deccanherald.com/Content/Sep102007/scroll2007091024510.asp?section=frontpagenews|title=Mixed verdict in KSCA polls|date=10 September 2007|access-date=25 July 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406020538/http://archive.deccanherald.com/Content/Sep102007/scroll2007091024510.asp?section=frontpagenews|archive-date=6 April 2012|publisher=Deccan Herald|df=dmy}} Lokesh Rahul, commonly known as KL Rahul and Budhi Kunderan, a former Indian wicket keeper are from Mangalore.{{cite web|url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/30178.html|title=Budhi Kunderan (India)|publisher=Cricinfo|access-date=26 July 2008}} Ravi Shastri, who represented India for several years in international cricket as an all-rounder and captained the team, is of Mangalorean descent.{{cite news|url=http://content-www.cricinfo.com/india/content/story/310173.html|title=Repaying the faith|last=Vasu|first=Anand|date=11 March 2007|access-date=25 July 2008|publisher=Cricinfo}}

Football is popular in the city and is usually played in the maidans (grounds); the Nehru Maidan is the most popular venue for domestic tournaments.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/Mangalore-premier-league-3-0-trophy-launch-today/articleshow/55646068.cms|title=Mangalore premier league 3.0 trophy launch today|date=27 November 2016|access-date=20 February 2017|work=The Times of India}} Dakshina Kannada District Football Association (DKDFA) annually organizes the Independence Day Cup, which is played on Independence Day at district football grounds adjacent to Nehru Maidan.{{cite news|url=http://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=405267|title=Mangaluru: Independence Cup football tourney kicks off, Nehru Maidan to be sports ground|date=21 July 2016|access-date=20 February 2017|publisher=Daijiworld}} Schools and colleges from across Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kodagu districts participate and the matches are conducted under seven categories for children and young adults in education.{{Cite news|url=http://www.coastaldigest.com/index.php/news/67410-independence-day-cup-football-tourney-concludes-on-a-high-note|title=Independence Day Cup football tourney concludes on a high note|last=Network|first=CD|date=15 August 2014|access-date=16 October 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018212401/http://www.coastaldigest.com/index.php/news/67410-independence-day-cup-football-tourney-concludes-on-a-high-note|archive-date=18 October 2016|publisher=Coastaldigest.com|language=en-US|df=dmy-all}}

File:Pilikula Nisargadhama golf course, Mangalore.jpg

Pilikula Nisargadhama, an integrated theme park, has an 18-hole golf course{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/Mangalore-to-get-beachside-golf-course/articleshow/34111959.cms|title=Mangalore to get beachside golf course|date=23 April 2014|access-date=14 December 2019|work=The Times of India}} at Vamanjoor.{{cite web|url=http://www.pilikula.com/index.php|title=Details of Pilikula Nisarga Dhama (Pilikula)|publisher=Pilikula Nisargadhama|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314055654/http://www.pilikula.com/index.php|archive-date=14 March 2012|access-date=25 July 2008|df=dmy}}{{cite news|url=http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newsid=85522&newstype=local|title=Pilikula — Perched for higher growth|date=20 July 2008|access-date=25 July 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219220820/http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newsid=85522&newstype=local|archive-date=19 December 2011|publisher=Mangalorean.com|df=dmy}}

Mangalore's Sasihithlu beach hosted the first edition of the Indian Open of Surfing in 2016.{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/inaugural-indian-open-surfing-kicks-off-in-mangalore-on-friday-116052400838_1.html|title=Inaugural Indian Open surfing kicks off in Mangalore on Friday|date=24 May 2016|access-date=10 December 2016|publisher=Business Standard}} Mantra Surf Club located at nearby Mulki has trained surfers to represent India at the International Surfing Association (ISA) World SUP and Paddleboard Championship held in Fiji.{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/Surfing-Federation-of-India-announces-Team-India-for-Fiji-ISA-World-SUP-Paddleboard-Championship/articleshow/55245908.cms|title=Surfing Federation of India announces Team India for Fiji ISA World SUP, Paddleboard Championship|date=4 November 2016|access-date=28 November 2016|work=The Times of India}} The second edition of the Indian Open of Surfing was also held in Mangalore.{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/mangaluru-to-host-second-indian-open-of-surfing-in-may/articleshow/58112604.cms|title=Mangaluru to host second Indian Open of Surfing in May|date=10 April 2017|access-date=11 April 2017|work=The Times of India}}

File:Kadri Kambala.jpg is a distinctive feature of Tuluva culture|alt=]]

Traditional sports like Kambala—buffalo races contested in flooded paddy fields—{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/karnataka-news/karnatakas-kambala-buffalo-racer-srinivasa-gowda-compared-to-worlds-fastest-man-usain-bolt-2180665|title=Karnataka's Buffalo Racer Compared To Usain Bolt. What He Said |date=15 February 2020|access-date=15 February 2020|publisher=NDTV}} and Korikatta (cockfighting) are very popular in the city.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/12/09/stories/2006120901650100.htm|title=Colours of the season|date=9 December 2006|access-date=9 July 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240525225817/https://www.webcitation.org/67GsuDUce?url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2006/12/09/stories/2006120901650100.htm|archive-date=25 May 2024|work=The Hindu|df=dmy}} The Kambala of Kadri is a traditional sports event organized within the city limits.{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/traditional-sports-add-colour-to-kadri-kambla/article2688887.ece|title=Traditional sports add colour to Kadri kambla|date=5 December 2011|access-date=20 February 2017|work=The Hindu}} A Mangalore suburb is named Kadri Kambla after the cockfighting tradition.{{Cite news|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/353703/shri-krishna-janmasthami-mosaru-kudike.html|title=Shri Krishna Janmasthami, Mosaru Kudike in Mangalore|date=27 August 2013|access-date=20 February 2017|publisher=Deccan Herald}} Plikula Kambala is another Kambala event that is organised within the city.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2018/nov/24/field-day-for-kambala-lovers-as-season-begins-1902650.html|title=Field day for Kambala lovers as season begins|date=24 November 2018|access-date=17 July 2019|publisher=The Indian Express}}

Chess is a popular indoor pastime in the city.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/mangalore-children-excel-in-chess-tournament/article2452146.ece|title=Mangalore children excel in chess tournament|date=14 September 2011|access-date=20 February 2017|work=The Hindu}} Mangalore is the headquarters of South Kanara District Chess Association (SKDCA), which has hosted two All India Open Chess tournaments.{{cite web|url=http://www.karnatakachess.com/recent.shtml|title=Recent Tournaments|publisher=United Karnataka Chess Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080508200356/http://www.karnatakachess.com/recent.shtml |archive-date=8 May 2008|access-date=22 July 2008}}{{cite web|url=http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newsid=47176&newstype=local|title=Mangalore: All India Fide Rated Open Chess Tournament takes off|date=3 July 2006|publisher=Mangalorean.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224141912/http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=47176|archive-date=24 December 2007|access-date=25 July 2008}}{{cite web|url=http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newsid=81429&newstype=local|title=All India chess tourney in Mangalore from July 19|date=17 June 2008|publisher=Mangalorean.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714030754/http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newsid=81429&newstype=local|archive-date=14 July 2011|access-date=25 July 2008}}

U S Mallya Indoor Stadium offers sporting facilities for badminton and basketball players.{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/proposed-indoor-stadium-for-badminton-only-jain/article7047433.ece|title=Proposed indoor stadium for badminton only: Jain|date=30 March 2015|access-date=4 December 2018|work=The Hindu}}

International kite festivals are held at Panambur Beach and attract kite enthusiasts from Europe and Australia.{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/kite-festival-at-panambur-beach-from-tomorrow/article8110207.ece|title=Kite festival at Panambur beach from today|last=Kamila|first=Raviprasad|date=15 January 2016|access-date=26 November 2016|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}} The city has a group of kite enthusiasts named Team Mangalore that participates in the festivals.{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/Panambur-beach-all-set-for-Rotary-International-Kite-Festival-2016/articleshow/50593283.cms|title=Panambur beach all set for Rotary International Kite Festival 2016 – Times of India|date=15 January 2016|access-date=26 November 2016|work=The Times of India}}

Other sports such as tennis, squash, billiards, badminton and table tennis are played in clubs and gymkhanas in Mangalore.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/proposed-indoor-stadium-for-badminton-only-jain/article7047433.ece|title=Proposed indoor stadium for badminton only: Jain|date=30 March 2015|access-date=20 February 2017|work=The Hindu}} MCC has renovated the Mangala Swimming Pool, that includes an ozonation plant.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/mcc-to-open-swimming-pool-today/articleshow/68015847.cms|title=MCC to open swimming pool on Saturday|date=16 February 2019|access-date=16 February 2020|work=The Times of India}} This swimming pool's size is 50m x 15m, having a capacity of 25 lakh litres of water. While it starts at a depth of 4 ft on the shallow side, the diving end is of a depth of 16 ft.

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Category:Sport in Karnataka