The pairing of pailwans for the Dasara Kusti (Wrestling) Competition-2019 was conducted at Sri B.V. Karanth Ranga Mandira, Dasara Exhibition Grounds, in city yesterday.

The guests on the dais were Mysuru DC Abhiram G. Sankar, Karnataka Wrestling Association President Prof. Rangaiah, Superintendent of Police (SP) C.B. Ryshyanth, Addl. SP and Dasara Wrestling Sub-Committee Deputy Special Officer Sneha, Asst. SP and Sub-Committee Working President Kshama Mishra and Cauvery Neeravari Nigam PRO Sub-Committee Secretary D. Ravikumar.

The Dasara Wrestling Competition will be held from Sept.29 to Oct.4 at Devaraja Urs Multi-purpose Stadium in Dasara Exhibition Grounds, Mysuru. On these days, the Naada Kusti competition will be held daily starting from 3.30 pm. The wrestlers participating in this competition were paired yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion, DC Abhiram Sankar wished everyone for the upcoming Dasara festival. He was of the opinion that wrestling has been the pride of Mysuru and said, “We have been retaining the tradition of Kusti since many years. I wish more wrestlers take part in the competition and escalate to national and international level.”

Prof. K.R. Rangaiah, President, Karnataka Wrestling Association, said: “Since the last 30 to 35 years, Kusti tradition has been surviving. We need to retain the tradition of the sport. Mysuru Dasara Kusti is a big highlight and its success should be credited to the Mysuru Dasara Kusti Sub-Committee. They have also introduced several titular awards such as Dasara Kanteerava, Dasara Kumar, Dasara Kesari and made the event more interesting and competitive. The wrestlers should play the sport with positive sportsmanship spirit. Inside the wrestling arena, each individual should give their best effort and must give a tough fight against the opposition; and outside the arena they must be friends again. Hence, ensuring a healthy competition.”

SP C.B. Ryshyanth said, “Kusti is an attractive and an interesting sport. The Committee members, Kusti trainers and various Kusti judges in Mysuru have dedicated themselves to the development of the sport. Pairing (fixtures) of Pailwans is an important aspect of this Dasara Kusti Competition. Based on the type of ties, the competition becomes interesting. We have to ensure to make this sport more attractive to the audiences and fans, so that a large number of viewers come for the event. Kusti should be given more publicity and we have put in place certain measures to increase the popularity of the sport among audiences.”

Several Kusti enthusiasts, fans and pailwans from various garadis were present at the venue.