Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju calls ‘record sprinter’ Srinivasa Gowda for trials

Hyderabad: The sensational burst that saw 28-year-old Srinivasa Gowda accomplish 100 metres with a 9.55 seconds timing in Karnataka on February 1 has caught the attention of not only the sports fraternity but also of the Union Sports Minister, Kiren Rijiju. Quite apparently, it has raised debate on the ‘fastest man on earth’, a tag that sits firmly on Usain Bolt, whose 9.58 timing remains the world record.

Mr. Rijiju said on Twitter, "His rail ticket is done and he will reach SAI centre on monday. I will ensure top national coaches to conduct his trials properly."

Mr Rijiju has called Srinivasa for trials by top SAI coaches and check whether he can make it big professionally. He took to Twitter to make the announcement: "I'll call Karnataka's Srinivasa Gowda for trials by top SAI coaches. There's lack of knowledge in masses about the standards of Olympics especially in athletics where ultimate human strength & endurance are surpassed. I'll ensure that no talent in India is left out untested. "

The Minister explained the misunderstanding Indians have about making it big in professional sport and track and field events. He stated that people have a lack of knowledge, especially with regard to Olympic standards. This also shows how professional sport is different from traditional sport. However, he did not neglect talent and called Gowda for trials, which could see the emergence of a new athletic hope from India.

His exploits have also caught the fancy of sports promoter and Chairman of Mahindra Group, Anand Mahindra, who wrote on Twitter “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! "

Gowda from Miyar Moodabidre in dakshina Kannada district completed a Kambala race or Buffalo race on a slushy paddy field in 13.62 seconds and covered a distance of 142.50 meters. When calculating the time taken for covering 100 m distance, Srinivasa was 0.03 quicker than that standing in the name of Bolt.