Mysuru: The traditional pairing ceremony for the popular Dasara wrestling tournament was held at D. Devaraj Urs Multipurpose Stadium in Dasara Exhibition Grounds here yesterday, thus heralding the process for the famed wrestling tournament.

District Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah released the official poser of the tournament.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah said, the wrestling tournament organised as part of Dasara festivities is gaining more popularity with each passing year.

Noting that the traditional sport of wrestling  is deep rooted in the region’s heritage, he said competitions have been held since the days of the erstwhile Mysore rulers. The State Government would extend greater encouragement for the tournament, he added.

He further said that the main objective of the tournament was to provide a suitable platform for local and State-level wrestlers.

MLA T.S. Srivatsa, in his address, said that the Dasara wrestling tournament has a long history. Urging the authorities to award prizes in the name of late wrestlers Pailwans Tiger Balaji, Amrut Purohit and Palahalli Vijayendra, who passed away recently, the MLA announced that he would personally give Rs. 50,000 for the tournament.

The Dasara wrestling tournament is scheduled to be held from Oct. 11 to 17 in three different categories — Nadakusti, Point Wrestling and Panja Wrestling. The tournament would be inaugurated at 4 pm on Oct.11, the day of the commencement of the 11-day Nadahabba. SP Mallikarjun Baladandi, Nanjangud Dy.SP & Wrestling Sub-Committee Working President Dharmendra, Mysuru Additional SP & Wrestling Sub-Committee Deputy Special Officer L. Nagesh and Secretary Narasimhamurthy were present.