More than 1,200 national and international players to take part

The Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), in association with Karnataka Wrestling Association, is organising a four-day ‘Karnataka Kusti Habba’ (Traditional Wrestling Festival) at Karnatak College Grounds in Dharwad from Feb. 22 to 25.

Around 1,200 wrestlers including Padma Shri, Arjuna awardees, Olympic champions Vijeth & Yogeshwar Dutt, retd. IGP Kartar Singh, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee and Olympian Sakshi Malik from the country and also from other countries like Azerbaijan, Georgia and Iran-Mahmoud Moradi Ganji, are expected to take part in the event which will be held at three Akhadas in 30 different weight categories with the total prizes and mementoes worth Rs. 80 lakh.

Age-limit of players

The Wrestling will be held in Under-14 (those born in 2006, 2007 & 2008), Under-17 (those born in 2003, 2004 and 2005) and Above 18 years (born in 2002 or before) divisions under different weight categories.

Awards

Winners of U-14 Boys (52 kg) and girls (46 kg) categories will be awarded the title ‘Karnataka Bala Kesari.’ U-17 boys (60kg) and girls (53 kg) category winners will be conferred the title ‘Karnataka Kishora and Kishori’ respectively. The wrestlers in the Above-18 years category with weights ranging from 86 kg to 125 kg for boys and 59 kg to 76 kg for girls will be awarded the titles ‘Karnataka Kesari.’

Wrestlers participating in the four-day Wrestling Festival will be given Travel Allowance and proper nutrition from the organisers. Those abstaining from the events at the Festival will not be provided with amenities and all the wrestlers will be examined by National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) before participation.

Wrestlers employed in various government offices may take part in one event at the most and have to obtain permission letter from the respective Department heads.

Registration

The participating wrestlers will be weighed and examined on Feb.22 from 8 am to 12 noon at the Karnatak College Grounds in Dharwad. They should carry the permission letter from their respective department heads, proof of birth date, Aadhaar Card, 4 passport photos and bank account details.

Transportation Facilities

For the convenience of the wrestlers participating in the event, transportation facilities will be made available on Feb. 22 from 7 am to 12 noon from the Dharwad Central Bus Stand and Dharwad City Railway Station to Karnatak College Grounds.

The event will be held as per the Indian tradition and rules of wrestling on a mud courts.

For details, contact Mob: 94485-90935 or 99642-45769 or 78920-42714 or 94819-66245.