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The grand revival
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It is Bangalore's turn again to revive the State Games, what was thought to be a forgotten dream
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Raised on the bed of the sprawling Sampangi Tank, the Sree Kanteerava Stadium symbolises the spirit of Olympic movement in the State. — Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.
THE REVIVAL of State Games after a gap of six years is evoking mixed feelings. Traditionalists feel the Olympic movement in the State has been revitalised.
Protagonists contend that the games are so poorly represented that it could well be a financial disaster.
The complex nature of multi-discipline events is bound to provoke varying reactions. But will any good come out of this edition?
The Karnataka Olympic Association strikes a confident note that the Games would serve the dual purpose of putting the infrastructure available to stern test as also in the self-assessment of its preparedness for the more challenging National Youth Games to be held later this year.
The event involves 23 disciplines, 2,500 competitors, and 500 officials. Its sheer size will attract huge public and media attention.
For the first time the KOA has introduced an Olympic Torch Relay.
The torch has already touched several destinations like Bagalkot, Hubli, Dharwar, Gadag, Haveri, Davangere, Chitradurga, and Tumkur.
Interestingly, the concept of State Games is nothing new.
The first ever State Games dates back to 1930, long before the first brick was cast for the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
In fact it took 16 years after the first edition for a Stadium to take shape. Its birth marked the advent of the first ever National Games!
Raised on the Sampangi Tank bed, the Stadium was aptly named the Sampangi Stadium.
The Olympic movement was galvanised at the time by the likes of sports promoters such as A.C. Das, Jeenabhai Devidoss, and K.A. Nettakallappa.
As the movement spread far and wide, there were several structural additions to the stadium.
It was rechristened the Sree Kanteerava Stadium even as the State's greatest sports administrator, A.R. Chikkapapaiah began to reshape the destinies of many budding sportsmen and women.
From its humble moorings, this infrastructure has assumed gigantic proportions today and is one of the most modern sporting facilities in the country.
In the midst of political turbulence, the games suffered several setbacks till things were set partially right in 1984, when Bagalkot broke the jinx.
Another 14 year break followed. Bangalore got the games back on the track and it is Bangalore's turn again to revive what was thought to be a forgotten dream.
From now on, the KOA president K. Govindaraj promises, it would be a trouble-free run.
The State Olympic Games are on at the Kanteerava Stadium between February 4 and February 7.
H.S.M.
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