Mysore varsity to trek adventurous path!

Adventure sports to be introduced for degree students; UGC funding under 11th plan

Here is a piece of good news for adventure buffs among students at the University of Mysore.

For the first time in the history of its inception, the varsity is introducing adventure sports to cater to the interest of students from the next academic year. Various activities planned will be included in extra-curricular activities.

Sources told Deccan Herald adventure sports is being introduced for degree students complying with the guidelines of the University Grants Commission (UGC). The UGC has sponsored Rs 50 lakh to take up the activity under Eleventh Five Year Plan.

Accordingly, tenders have been invited to create the facilities — a majority being purchase of equipment. The activities planned under three wings include parasailing, terrestrial and water sports. Buoyant — a separate make-shift platform to facilitate parasailing will be created. Tents, pegging device for trekking and power boat will also be purchased among several other articles marked to complete the set up. If all goes well, Kukkarahalli lake will be the platform for water related sports with power boat being the main attraction. Wall climbing is also included.

To make it convenient, especially to encourage all those students interested to take part in the activities, the adventure sports will be organised during vacation — either mid-term or summer or any other suitable schedule. A nominal fee will also be charged towards maintenance cost.
As adventure sports is also new for the varsity, the department of physical education which will be drawing out programmes, has decided to hire an experienced person in the field to conduct the activities without any hassles.

Hope for more
It’s just a beginning and the implementation of the project may augur well to add more under the banner of adventure sports, the source said.

Till now, the only time for adventure sports in Mysore was during Dasara, with the organisers holding parasailing, jet-skiing, banana ride, hot air balloon riding among other events to name a few.