After a series of protests by various Associations against the shifting of 10 disciplines out of the 25 disciplines of Dasara Games (CM Cup) – 2018 to Bengaluru, the organisers have heeded to the plea and have agreed to conduct 24 disciplines in Mysuru and one game, Shooting, will be held in Bengaluru on the same date.

The Dasara Games – CM Cup will be conducted jointly by the Department of Youth Empowerment & Sports, District Administration, Mysuru and Karnataka Olympic Association (KOA), in a revised format this year, from Oct.10 to 16.

The State and District Associations had pleaded that the Dasara Games be conducted in Mysuru itself. As it is having all the needed infrastructure, the Heritage City should not be deprived of the opportunity to host all the 25 disciplines. Following the plea, District in-Charge Minister G.T. Devegowda instructed the officials to conduct all the Games in Mysuru and the organisers have consented for the same.

Now, the 24 disciplines which will be conducted in Mysuru are Fencing, Gymnastics, Hockey, Volleyball, Kho-Kho, Kabaddi, Handball, Boxing, Wrestling, Wushu, Netball, Basketball, Athletics, Cycling, Swimming, Tennis, Football, Badminton, Archery, Taekwondo, Judo, Table tennis, weight-lifting and Ball Badminton. Shooting will be conducted in Bengaluru.

‘Conduct the Games in Old Format’

The Dasara Games for over five decades are being conducted in the Taluk, District and Divisional levels. The top two teams from the Divisional-level used to take part in the State-level Meet, which used to give an opportunity for the rural and mofussil talent to take part in the Games and exhibit talent.

“The revised format of top eight teams participating in each disciplines in team games and top ranked players in the State in each individual events, deprives the opportunity for the rural talent to take part and only the cream talent from cities were getting chance to take part in the event. With this, quality might improve but grass-root level participation will be deprived,” the Associations claimed.

Hence, they will be submitting a memorandum to the Government to conduct the Dasara Games in the old format in order to motivate rural talent.