Madikeri, May 2 -- Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Mansukh Mandaviya visited the Sports Authority of India's (SAI) Training Centre in Madikeri and interacted with women hockey players from the Kodava community on the conclusion of the month-long hockey festival here on Saturday, emphasising the role of nurturing talent from different parts of the nation in fulfilling India's aspirations to become a global sports powerhouse.

The Sports Minister highlighted the role played by the Kodava community in the promotion of field hockey. The Kodagu district, the home of the Kodavas, is hailed as one of the cradles of Indian hockey. More than 50 players from the community have represented India in international tournaments, out of which seven pl...