The annual Kambala (slush track buffalo race) organised by Karnataka State Kambala Association will kick start in the coastal belt on November 15 with the first event scheduled to be held at Panapila.

The association has scheduled 25 races during the season, which will end on April 25 next year, with the last race to be held at Badagabettu. The races will be held on Saturdays, with only one race at Ballamanja scheduled for December 7, which is a Sunday.

The Mangaluru Kambala has been scheduled on December 27.

Belapu Deviprasad Shetty, president of the association, told The Hindu that they recently decided to extend the timing of each Kambala from 24 hours to 30 hours.

In addition, buffalo aged below three years will not be allowed in any of the races. Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services has issued a direction to the association on the same, he said.

As the Sports Authority of Karnataka, under the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, on October 7 this year recognised the association as a State sports institution to organise Kambalas, all the events will be held as per the guidelines of the authority, he said.

Mr. Shetty said that a white flag having the emblems of Kambala, Tulu Nadu and the Karnataka government will be hoisted before commencing each Kambala. Local organisers of each Kambala will have to follow the guidelines of the authority to get government grant for organising the event.

The president said that Mulky Kambala has been scheduled by the association for December 20. But this date might change depending upon the decision to be taken by the local organisers.

The race will be held in ‘hagga hiriya’, ‘hagga kiriya’, ‘naegilu hiriya’, ‘naegilu kiriya’, ‘kane halage’, and ‘adda halage’ categories.

Vijaya Kumar Kanginamane, secretary of the association, stated that Kambalas in Bengaluru and Shivamogga are unlikely to be held during the 2025-26 season, as they have not been listed by the association so far. Likewise, Pilikula Kambala is unlikely to be held as the matter regarding holding Kambala at Pilikula is under dispute, and Karnataka High Court is hearing the matter.

Mr. Kanginamane said that “Kodi Kambalas” (traditional Kambalas) began in the coastal belt on October 17, and they will go on for a month. They are not races. About 100 to 125 traditional Kambalas are held in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts in a year. These Kambalas are related to farming activities.