Bengaluru, Nov. 17:
The 16th Isha Gramotsavam, celebrating the sporting spirit of rural India, kicked off today with cluster-level matches across 10 districts of Karnataka, including Chikkaballapur, Mysore, and Udupi. Featuring Volleyball for men and Throwball for women, the matches on December 16 and 17, 2024, showcased an electrifying display of rural sporting talent. The next set of cluster-level matches will be held on December 23 and December 24, 2024 in six other districts, including Bengaluru Rural, Shivamogga, and Chikkamagaluru.
Both winning teams, along with the runners-up, will advance to the divisional-level matches before progressing to the grand finals, which will take place in front of Adiyogi at the Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore. The tournament boasts a staggering prize pool of over ₹52 lakhs crore, raising the stakes and celebrating the spirit of rural sportsmanship like never before.
Launched by Sadhguru in 2004, Isha Gramotsavam is a unique social initiative aimed at bringing the spirit of sports and playfulness into the lives of rural people. Unique in its format, Isha Gramotsavam is not open for professionals, setting the stage for everyday rural folks- from daily wage earners, fishermen, and housewives among others, to break away from their daily grind and come enjoy the celebratory and unifying power of sports.
Radhamma, a participant in the Women’s Throwball match at Chikkaballapur, radiated confidence thanks to the support of her family, including her husband, son, and nephew, who came to cheer her on. “My husband is very supportive,” she proudly shared. Despite a finger injury, she remained determined: “I will continue playing because it brings me so much happiness.”
She also expressed gratitude to Isha volunteers: “They came to our village and encouraged us to play. Since May, we’ve been practising 2-3 hours every day, rain or shine. We’re so happy that Sadhguru and Isha have brought this to us.”
“Isha #Gramotsavam is a celebration of Life through Sport. A game can unite people beyond all social divisions; this is the power of Sport- that it can erase boundaries of caste, religion and other identities with celebratory playfulness. This is not about becoming a competitive sportsperson, but just about being a Sport for life. If you can throw a ball with total participation & involvement, a ball can change the world. May you know the joy of Playing with abandon.” said Sadhguru about Isha Gramotsavam.
The sporting extravaganza spans over two months, unfolding across the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry. Played in over 162 rural locations, Isha Gramotsavam involves more than 42,000 players, including over 10,000 rural women—most of them homemakers—competing in Volleyball and Throwball.
Rural India, where over 60% of the population is of working age, faces significant challenges, including unviable agriculture and non-inclusive growth. Many rural youth are trapped in cycles of poverty and addiction. Through sports and an elaborate display of rural culture, Isha Gramotsavam has become an effective tool to transform society by helping villagers stay away from addictions, breaking caste barriers, empowering women, and reviving the resilient rural spirit.
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