Kambala team gifts winning gold medal to ailing former caretaker for medical treatment

Mangalore Today News Network

Bantwal, Oct 30, 2026: In a heartwarming gesture, a Kambala buffalo owner has gifted his winning gold medal to an ailing former caretaker to help meet his medical expenses, placing compassion above a prized sporting achievement.

At the recently concluded Mysuru Kambala, the buffaloes belonging to Flavy D’Souza of Padavu Kanadka, Shaktinagar, Mangaluru, secured first place in the ’Hagga Kiriya’ (Junior Rope) category. The gold medal won in the event was subsequently handed over to Veerappa, a resident of Kolathamajalu in Bantwal taluk.

Veerappa had served as a caretaker of the Padavu Kanadka buffalo team for several years. However, illness forced him to discontinue his work last year. Remembering his dedicated service, the team decided to gift him the gold medal won at the first Kambala event of the season to support his medical treatment.

This is the second time the Padavu Kanadka team has made such a philanthropic gesture. In 2024, during the Navoor Kambala in Bantwal, its buffalo ’Dooja’ won first place. The team donated the winning gold medal to Savya Gangadhara Poojary, who had fallen ill during a Kambala event. The latest gesture has earned the team widespread appreciation.

Meanwhile, Dooja, which had won six championship titles, has retired from racing due to health reasons. In recognition of its legacy, the team named a newly acquired buffalo ’Mini Dooja’. Along with another buffalo, ’Jackie’, and driven by runner Kavoorudota Sudarshan, Mini Dooja secured gold at the Mysuru Kambala.

The Padavu Kanadka team currently employs nearly 30 workers across its ’A’ and ’B’ divisions.

Kambala Association General Secretary Vijaya Kumar Kanginamane said several buffalo owners, including Nandalike Srikanth Bhat and Karinja Vinu Vishwanath Shetty, had earlier donated their winning medals to temples and families facing financial difficulties, including those in need during weddings. He appreciated Padavu Kanadka for repeating the humanitarian gesture.

"Veerappa was associated with the Padavu Kanadka team for a very long time and is currently unwell. To support his medical treatment, we handed over the gold medal won at the Mysuru Kambala to him," said Dolfy D’Souza of Padavu Kanadka.