Mysuru to get wrestling sports hostels for girls and boys

Mysuru: The department of youth empowerment and sports is setting up separate wrestling sports hostels for boys and girls in Mysuru. The facility aims to provide young wrestlers with free boarding and lodging, along with world-class coaching. Traditionally, Mysuru has been known for promoting wrestling, which continues to be popular in the heritage city.

During the Dasara festival, the city hosts wrestling events, while for the Mysuru royal family, wrestling is an integral part of the private Dasara celebrations. Currently, the state govt has established wrestling sports hostels in Belagavi, Gadag, Dharwad, Karwar, and Haveri, most of which are located in north Karnataka.

As there were no such facilities to train talented athletes from southern Karnataka, the state govt had announced the setting up of a wrestling academy in Mysuru during its budget presentation two years ago. Now, as part of this initiative, the department of youth empowerment and sports has started separate wrestling sports hostels for boys and girls. With the appointment of a coach and provision of facilities, the hostels have been launched at Chamundi Vihar Stadium from the current academic year.

The department has enrolled around 15 boys studying in Classes 5 and 7 in the boys’ hostel. It has also selected 35 girls, from Class 7 to degree level, for the girls’ hostel. With a coach now in place, training for the selected students will begin from the first week of June.

A portion of the Chamundi Vihar Indoor Stadium building has been prepared for this purpose, equipped with international-standard wrestling mats and a multi-gym featuring power ropes, climbing ropes, medicine balls, Bulgarian bags for grappling strength, mat suits, and training kits.

The training programme will include routine physical fitness sessions, yoga, meditation techniques, coaching guidance, counselling, wrestling techniques, and leadership development.

Speaking to TOI, assistant director of youth empowerment and sports affairs Bhaskar Nayak said the department has completed preparations to train the selected boys and girls from the first week of June at Chamundi Vihar Stadium. Wrestling coach Vinod said that the establishment of wrestling hostels will help aspiring boys and girls from Mysuru and adjoining districts receive international-level training and participate in competitions.