Kodagu/Mysuru: From the misty coffee slopes of Kodagu to the glare of international hockey stadiums, Pullangada U. Bopanna has cemented his place among India’s finest goalkeepers. Celebrated for his lightning‑quick reflexes, calm under pressure, and fearless defence, Bopanna adds another star to Kodagu’s proud tradition of producing six international hockey goalkeepers — a feat few regions in the world can match.
Early Life & Education
Born on January 25, 1977 in Besagur village, Kodagu, to B. Upendra and Kaveramma (née Tamane Kirundanda), Bopanna began his schooling at St. Thomas School, Gonikoppal. His passion for hockey followed him to Bengaluru, where he studied at St. Joseph’s Indian High School and later at Al‑Ameen College.
Climbing the Ranks
Bopanna’s talent shone early. He represented Karnataka at the 9th Sub‑Junior Nehru Hockey Tournament (1991‑92) and made his mark in multiple state and national school teams. By the time he captained Karnataka across sub‑junior, junior, and senior levels, he had already played 30+ national tournaments and was crowned Best Goalkeeper (1996‑97).
Wearing the India Colours
Bopanna’s national call‑ups took him to over 200 training camps under the Indian Hockey Federation, spanning junior to senior squads. His international résumé includes:
- Sultan Azlan Shah Cup (1996)
- Commonwealth Games (1998)
- Indo‑Pakistan Test Series
- Asia Cup & Junior World Cup qualifiers
- A victorious Junior India tour of Russia
Domestic Triumphs
Off the international pitch, Bopanna played for SAI, Air India (1998‑2000), and BPCL for seven years — lifting trophies at the MCC Tournament, All‑India Nehru Tournament, Lal Bahadur Shastri Tournament, and the Bombay Gold Cup, where he was named Best Player.
Beyond the Field
Married to Soumya Rohini, an international hockey director, the couple’s son, Appanna, is pursuing a BBA in Sports Management at Jain College, Bengaluru. The family actively participates in the Kundyolanda Family Hockey Festival, where they were jointly felicitated in 2024.
Legacy & Inspiration
For aspiring goalkeepers from Kodagu, Bopanna’s journey is a blueprint for success. His mantra? Maintain fitness, vision, agility, patience, focus, and the courage to lead a team — embracing victory and defeat with equal grace.
“A goalkeeper is the team’s backbone — lead with courage, and accept every outcome with dignity,” Bopanna advises.
