Bengaluru: For the first time, the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department and the Department of Youth and Sports have collaborated to organise sports meets that will include bullock cart races to boost rural sports. The proposal has already been approved by the government, and events will be held at all levels, from panchayat to State. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is excited about organising rural sports meets where kabaddi, kho-kho, traditional wrestling, and bullock cart races will be held, stated a joint circular released by the departments.

The launch of the meets will be held on August 29, which is National Sports Day. There is no age limit for participants. All competitions will take place at the gram panchayat, taluk, district, and state levels. For taluk and district-level competitions, funds will be given through the Zilla panchayat under the sport grants, while gram panchayats are allowed to use 2 per cent of the revenue.

The participants will get Rs. 200 at the taluk level and Rs. 250 at the district level from department officials. For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, they will also receive Rs. 300.

Districts with less than three taluks may send the top three places to the district-level competition. Districts with four to five taluks may send the top two teams, and districts with six or more taluks may only send the top team. Those who win at the district level are eligible to compete in the state meet.