Mood bullish at first Rekla race in Kovai

Thousands of residents of Coimbatore and people from nearby villages thronged the venue to have a look at the majestic bulls and vibrant calves that came from Erode, Coimbatore, Pollachi, Tirupur, Udumalpet, Palladam, Erode and Kerala to take part in the event.  

The event was jointly organised by Tamil Nadu Rekla Club (TNRC) and the Coimbatore unit of the ruling party, to commemorate the birth centenary of former chief minister and AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran and the 69th birth anniversary of late J Jayalalithaa. 

While Rekla races are traditionally conducted at Pollachi,  Anamalai and the surrounding areas, the sport has not been conducted in the city so far. This made Sunday’s event a crowd puller. 

Mounted on trucks, the bulls and carts started reaching the venue from since Saturday. On Sunday, the event began at 8 am and continued beyond 6 pm. Races were conducted in two different categories based on the age of the bulls. 

Around 250 pairs of sub-adult bulls participated in the 200 metres race. Close to 100 pairs participated in the 300 metres race. As many as 60 prizes valued at Rs 7.5 lakh were given to winners of the first 30 places in both categories. It included cash prizes for Rs 5 lakh for the winners of the first four places in both categories. 

The first prize was Rs 1 lakh, followed by Rs 75,000, Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000. Gold, silver coins and cups were also given to the winners.  Though safety arrangements were in place, tense moments prevailed for some time, as one of the organisers, who was holding the front of a cart was run over by a pair of bulls. Organisers informed that he was out of danger.