Kambala runner Srinivas Gowda, who came into the limelight after completing 100 meters in 9.55 seconds in the traditional sports competition, can train at the Sports Authority of India (Sai) campus in Bangalore. Officials led by Sai's South India director Ajay Kumar Bahl had recently seen Anna Thamma Kambala held at Pavalaik in Kasargod district in Kerala and they spoke to Gowda and invited him to attend training in Bengaluru.
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Kambala Academy coordinator Gunpal Kadamb has told that Sai's athletic coaches Kurian P. Mathew and Harish were also present during the discussion. He said that Gowda does not have experience in running in track and athletics, so the academy will give him initial training to run on the track wearing shoes at Swaraj Maidan and Mangala Stadium in Moodbidari in the city. Gowda was known as the 'Usain Bolt of Kambala' due to his efforts.
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Union Sports Minister Kiran Rijiju invited him to take training in Sai after getting information about his achievements by the media. Gowda was not ready for this at first, as he knows the difference between running on marshy fields and track but later he agreed. He may join Sai's Bengaluru-based center in April after the current session of Kambala ends. So far in the current season, he has won 39 records.
