Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Feb 25: Srinivas Gowda, who has come to be identified as 'Usain Bolt of Kambala' on account of his feat in the Aikala Kambala, is likely to join the Sports Authority of India (SAI) training at Bengaluru in April. Before that, he will be provided with preliminary training at the Swaraj Maidan track at Moodbidri.

Srinivas Gowda is basically a construction worker who has a rural upbringing. Gowda runs barefoot in Kambala races and has never used spike shoe. Kambala Academy convener, Gunapal Kadamba, noted that Gowda does not have knowledge about tacks and athletics. Therefore, the academy has decided to provide him preliminary training through trainers to run in the tracks at Swaraj Maidan Moodbidri and Mangala Stadium here, he said.

Srinivas Gowda

SAI south India centre director, Ajay Kumar Behl, led three officials of the authority to Anna -Thamma Kambala held at Paivalike on Saturday night. They held talks with Gowda and invited him to attend training at Bengaluru. SAI athletic coaches, Kurien P Mathew and Harish were present during the discussions.

Kadamba said that the Kambala season will end on March 7 after which a decision on Gowda's visit to Bengaluru will be decided. He said that Gowda needs some rest after the end of Kambala season. He said that this matter has been clarified to SAI. "Kambala academy trainer Vasanth Jogi, is a national athletic trainer. He will provide training to Srinivas Gowda," he stated.