Mysuru: Based on the Dasara Wrestling Committee’s request, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has come forward to give a fillip to the famous Dasara Wrestling Competition. The cash prize for the winners of Dasara Kanteerava which is the top title in the state level Dasara wrestling competition has been enhanced from Rs 12,500 to Rs 50,000 from next year.
For many people Dasara is incomplete without the wrestling bout which is being organised since the Maharaja’s period. People not only from across the district but also from across the state and country come to see the quality wrestling competition where top wrestlers from various parts of India take part. Many people apply leave for five to six days and stay in Mysuru to witness the Dasara wrestling bout. Several senior wrestlers including 65-year-old Ramegowda from a village in K R Nagar Taluk which is nearly 40 km from Mysuru are staying in Mysuru to witness this year’s Dasara wrestling competition. These wrestling enthusiasts plan their calendar of years well in advance and make sure that they don’t have important engagements during Dasara wrestling competition.
In the last couple of decades, though the quality of Dasara competition has improved, it’s not the same when it comes to quality of wrestlers in Mysuru. Most of the wrestlers in Mysuru are giving importance to Naada Kusthi that is the traditional wrestling but they are not giving much importance to Point Kusthi which is played on mat surface. Keeping this in mind, from this year, the organisers have started promoting point wrestling exclusive for local wrestlers. The cash award for the title winners including for Dasara Kanteerava is almost the same for the past nearly 25 years. Hence the Dasara Committee has requested the government to enhance the cash award for title winners including Dasara-Kesari, Kishore and Kumara. The chief minister assured to enhance the cash award to all the title winners, especially those who win Dasara Kanteerava will get Rs 50,000 from next year instead of Rs 12,500 which is being paid for almost 25 years. Apart from this Siddaramaiah also requested the organisers to submit their demands so that it would be met after bringing them to the notice of the experts concerned.
‘Wrestling needs a push’
International wrestler Rathan Matapathi who is into wrestling for the past 20 years, has won couple of medals for the country and active participant of Dasara wrestling competition said, “Few decades ago, wrestling was almost diminishing but thanks to Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt and Sakshi Mallick’s achievement because of their outstanding performance in getting medals for the country, they got a lot of appreciation through various ways including job, cash award and other deserving honours. This motivated the budding wrestlers’ parents to encourage their children. In the last ten years, more people have started to take up wrestling more professionally. It’s the same in the famous Dasara wrestling competition. Top wrestlers are very eager to be a part of Dasara wrestling competition. For Kanteerava title, a decade ago, there were just five participants but now there are 12 participants.”
“Twenty years ago, if the singers and artistes were called for Dasara, they were paid Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 but now they are valued in lakhs. But when it comes to cash award or remuneration for referees it remains the same what it was in 25 years ago. Not only cash prizes to the participants but also remuneration for referees, TA DA to the participants should also be enhanced and for the participants better accommodation and food should be given”, added Rahan Matapathi.
Deshi Gowda, President of Dasara Wrestling Committee who himself is a wrestler said, “We have requested Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for the enhancement of much needed cash prizes for the title winners, referees and better grants. Chief Minister immediately announced a cash prize of Rs 50,000 for Dasara Kanteerava from next year. Apart from this, he also told us to submit the other demands so that he can fulfil them after bringing them to the notice of department concern. We will submit the demands by October 3.” He also mentioned that steps had also been taken to improve Point Kusthi in Mysuru.
What was new during this year Dasara Wrestling Competition?
Third umpire: For the first time for the welfare of the participants, on the lines of cricket, third umpire has been introduced in wrestling. All the wrestling matches are being recorded. If anyone has issues they can bring it to the notice of the third umpire who if necessary goes through the video and gives the verdict.
Strict Olympic rule followed: All the wrestling bouts are being strictly followed on the basis of Olympic rules and regulations so that the budding wrestler gets adapted to it.
No one with referee: Usually the referees had share seating with others but this year, the organisers had made exclusive seating arrangement to avoid distraction in judgement.
Exclusive point wrestling for Mysuru wrestlers: To promote point wrestling in Mysuru, for the first time it was organised for budding the wrestlers.
What is the demand from dasara committee wrestlers?
-Enhancement of cash prize for title winners, TA DA for participants, referees.
-Increase in the allocation of funds for Dasara Wrestling Committee. This year Rs 35 Lakh was given but the committee requested the government to allocate atleast Rs 60 Lakh.
-Better accommodation and food for participants.
