Mangaluru : The third edition of Naringana Kambala in Ullal Taluk to be inagurated on Saturday, said Speaker U.T. Khader on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed his participation when Kambala Samiti members met him in Bengaluru on Tuesday. The two-day Lava-Kusha Jodukare Kambala will begin at 8.30 a.m. on Saturday, he said, adding Mr. Siddaramaiah’s participation in the Tulunadu traditional event was expected to benefit the event to a great extent.

Mr. Khader said the honourary president of Naringana Kambala Samiti Venkappa Kajava Mitthakodi has successfully conducted kambala at Pajeer for the last 25 years while samiti vice-president and his son Prashanth Kajava Mitthakodi has successfully conducted the Naringana Kambala for the last two years. Eminent owners of kambala buffaloes, jockeys and organisers were part of the samiti, he said.

Mr. Prashanth Kajava said the Naringana Kambala that has a larger kare (track) had attracted the third highest number of buffalo pairs participation among 24 kambalas in the region in the last two years. Adequate facilities would be made for buffaloes, handlers, jockeys, and owners at the venue, he said.

While gold medals would be presented to the first four winning pairs, jockeys and owners in each section, all participating owners would be presented silver medals, he said.

The event would be inaugurated by Sridhama Manila seer Mohanadasa Paramahamsa Swami in the presence of Pradhana Tanthri of Sri Kshetra Shanthipalike Varkady Hosamane Rajesh Talithaya, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner M.P. Mullai Muhilan, Ullal Syed Madani Darga president P.G. Haneef Haji, Bola St. Lawrence Church priest Frederick Correa, and others in the morning.

The evening programme at 6 p.m. will witness the participation of Mr. Siddaramaiah, Mr. Khader, Capt. Brijesh Chowta, MP, and a host of Karnataka Ministers.