Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju gives Kambala sensation Srinivas Gowda a crack on the professional track
1 min read 15 Feb 2020, 08:56 PM ISTGowda has become an internet sensation after reports that his record of running 13.62 seconds to run 145 mtrs went viral in FebruaryPeople were quick in deriving estimates from Gowda’s original 145 meters run, scaling it down to 100 meters to suggest that he would have run 100 mtrs in 9.55 seconds
PremiumBENGALURU : Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Kiren Rijiju on Saturday said that the government will help running sensation Srinivas Gowda get professional coaching help and take part in the trials, that could reveal his true potential on the professional track.
Gowda, a 28-year old construction worker and a jockey in the traditional Kambala buffalo race in the coastal district of Dakshina Kannada, has become an internet sensation after reports that his record of running 13.62 seconds to run 145 meters went viral in February.
Netizens quickly drew comparisons to Jamaican world record 100 meter runner, Usain Bolt, who sprinted the distance in 9.58 seconds.
Soon after his story went viral, people quick in deriving estimates from Gowda’s original 145 meters run, scaled it down to 100 meters to suggest that he would have run 100 meters in 9.55 seconds, beating Bolt’s speed.
“Officials from SAI (Sports Authority of India) have contacted him. His rail ticket is done and he will reach SAI centre on Monday. I will ensure top national coaches to conduct his trials properly. We are team @narendramodi ji and will do everything to identity sporting talents!," Rijiju posted on Twitter on Saturday.
Though there are several locally organised events of Kambala, a buffalo racing sport over a distance, the race in Aikala Village, about 30 km from the coastal district of Mangaluru in which Gowda storms over the slush and smashing records has attracted eyeballs globally.
“Faster Than Usain Bolt? Karnataka Man Running With Buffaloes Covers 100 Metres in Just 9.55 Seconds. I urge the Athletics Association of India to take this man under their wing & make an Olympic champion of him. Wonder how many hidden talents we have!," Congress parliamentarian, Shashi Tharoor posted on Twitter.
Tharoor also embraced the scaled down theory to compare him to Bolt.
Pictured with a beaming smile and ripped physique, Gowda has won hearts online.
Gowda could not be reached for comment.
“Just one look at his physique & you know this man is capable of extraordinary athletic feats. Now either @KirenRijiju provides him training as a 100m sprinter or we get Kambala to become an Olympic event. Either way, we want a gold medal for Srinivasa! ," Anand Madhindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group posted on Twitter.
