SATARA

Bail-gada shariyat, or bullock cart races, were once a common tradition across rural Maharashtra, including Satara district. The races were banned in 2011, but in 2017, the State government enacted legislation to restart the races. However, the Bombay High Court stayed the legislation, and the Supreme Court initially declined to lift the stay, referring the matter to a larger bench. In 2021, the Supreme Court upheld the State’s legislation, thereby legalizing the races once more.

Similar games are played in Tamil Nadu, where it is known as ‘Jallikattu', also known as 'eruthazhuvuthal', and is played as part of the Pongal harvest festival. The Bail Gada shariyats of Maharashtra resemble the 'Kambala' race, held in Karnataka between November and March, which involves a pair of buffaloes tied to a plow and anchored by one person. They are made to run in parallel muddy tracks in a competition in which the fastest team wins.

The sport is extremely popular in this region of Maharashtra, and farmers with their bulls enthusiastically participate in it.

Wrestling, or 'kusti,' holds a profound and enduring place in the cultural fabric of Satara. Traditional akhadas and taalim (wrestling schools) are deeply woven into the community's heritage, making the sport much more than just physical competition; it is a cultural phenomenon closely tied to local festivals and fairs.

Satara takes pride in its legendary wrestlers, including the celebrated Late Appasaheb Pawar, whose achievements brought great honor to the region. Wrestling matches remain a major highlight during events like the Krida Mahotsav, drawing enthusiastic crowds and reflecting the town's unwavering passion for the sport.

Satara is also the birthplace of Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav (1926–1984), a trailblazing Indian wrestler born in Goleshwar village. He was the first athlete from independent India to win an individual medal in the Olympics. 

Mallakhamb, derived from the Sanskrit words malla (wrestler) and khamb (pole), is a traditional Indian sport that blends elements of gymnastics, yoga, and wrestling. Originally developed as a training tool for wrestlers in medieval India, the sport emphasizes strength, flexibility, and balance through performances on a wooden pole or rope. Mallakhamb evolved from a specialized training method into a unique physical discipline, gaining recognition for its artistry and rigorous demands on the body. The sport holds immense value and prestige both in India’s cultural heritage and in its sports landscape.

The sport has a long and rich history in the district, since the district has a strong Kusti (wrestling) culture, it is no wonder that Mallakhamb is also a popular activity. It is also believed that Satara’s Chhatrapatis gave grants for many Mallakhamb wrestlers during their reign. A few notable Mallakhamb wrestlers and coaches include Damodhar Balkrishna Bhide Guruji from Mahagaon, who dedicated his life towards the spread of Mallakhamb, Ganpatrao Sathe, who started the Gajanan Vyayamshala in Satara, which trained many wrestlers, Paranspe Guruji, Thathe Guruji, Vithalrao Soman, Tukaram Bhosale, and Marutirao Gambholi, among many others have contributed to the development and preservation of the sport in the district.

Cricket is quite a popular game in the district. Various leather-ball and tennis-ball domestic leagues such as the Satara Premier League, Ajinkyatara Tournament, Satara Nyaymandir Chashak, etc. In addition to these various turfs, coaching centers and clubs also exist. Notably, the Satara Gymkhana, one of the oldest sports facilities in Satara, provides Cricket coaching and physical training to people of 8-20 years of age. Cricket is also a very common sport that is played on the premises of the prominent/famous grounds of the district.

Recently, Football has seen a rise in popularity in the district. The AIFF (All India Football Federation) currently has two clubs registered under it, namely, the Pacangan Football Club and the Satara District Football Association. In addition, the Satara Gymkhana also has a Football club of its own. Football, just like Cricket, is played mostly by teens and young adults on the premises of the prominent/famous grounds of the district. Notably, Snehal Ghadge and Hritika Bansode, both natives and residents of Satara, were selected for the Maharashtra State Women’s Football team that participated in the 28th Senior Women’s National Football Championship 2023-24.

Satara has given India many great sports personalities across various sports, including people such as Dada Mane and Sahebrao Jadhav, who have earned the prestigious title of Maharashtra Kesari in wrestling (kusti), showcasing their exceptional talent. Satara has also produced numerous All-India-level athletes across various sports, including Gyanu Jadhav (Volleyball), Usman Mohammad Bagwan (Volleyball and Kabaddi), Appa Kisan Pawar (Volleyball), Ahakram Patil (Volleyball), Ganesh Kirane (Kabaddi), Arvind Phadke (Kho-Kho), and Syed Isaac Vijapure (Basketball).

Notable names such as Janardhan Krishnaji and Shyam Ashtekar have made significant contributions as players and organizers in Kho-Kho and Kabaddi, leaving a lasting legacy in these sports.

In Kabaddi, players from Babanrao Uthale's Shivaji Uday Mandal, including Kumar Kulkarni, Narendra Dabholkar, Babanrao Uthale, and Vijay Jadhav, have been honored with the prestigious Shiv Chhatrapati Award. Additionally, Shankarao Gosavi from Shrikrishna Sports Mandal has been awarded the esteemed title of Kabaddi Maharshi for his remarkable contributions to the sport.

Aditi Swami, hailing from Sherewadi, Satara, achieved a historic milestone by winning the gold medal at the 2023 World Archery Championship, becoming the youngest-ever world champion in the sport. She began her training at the age of 10 at Shahu Stadium in Satara under the guidance of her coach, Pravin Sawant, from the Drishti Archery Academy.

Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, a midfielder for the Indian women's hockey team, is a native of the Asu village in Satara. Her father, a wrestler who couldn’t pursue the sport professionally, saw his dream of representing India come true through his daughter. He sent Vaishnavi to the prestigious Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, Pune, in 2011 to pursue sports, and after trying her hand at several games, she decided to take up and pursue hockey. Vaishnavi spent her childhood away from home to fulfill her father’s dream. In 2017, she played in her first Sub-Junior National Championship, the 7th Hockey India Sub-Junior Women's National Championship held in Ramanathapuram. Her tenacity in the midfield was impressive, and she was called up to the Junior Women’s Squad after her stellar performance in the 9th Hockey India Junior Women’s National Championship in 2019. Her selection for India’s squad at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou marked a significant achievement for both her and her family.

Shrirang Jadhav, born on 15 November 1927, was an Indian wrestler. He competed in the men's freestyle light heavyweight at the 1952 Summer Olympics but was only able to advance till round 2.

Baburao Kashid who belonged to Rahimatpur won a Silver medal in Wrestling at the 1954 Asian Games that were held in Manila, Philippines. He played in the Men's lightweight 67 kg category.

Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, born on 15 January 1925, in the village of Goleshwar, Karad taluka, Satara district, was the youngest of five sons of the renowned wrestler Dadasaheb Jadhav. Khashaba completed his schooling at Tilak High School in Karad between 1940 and 1947. Under the guidance of his father, who was also a wrestling coach, Khashaba began training in wrestling at the age of five. During his college years, he was mentored by Baburao Balawde and Belapuri Guruji.

Jadhav’s wrestling career began in 1948, and he first gained international attention at the 1948 London Olympics, where he competed in the flyweight category and secured an impressive 6th-place finish. This was a groundbreaking achievement for India in the individual category. Despite being new to mat wrestling and unfamiliar with international rules, Jadhav's performance was extraordinary. His journey to the London Olympics was made possible through funding from the Maharaja of Kolhapur.

While in London, he trained under Rees Gardner, a former lightweight world champion from the United States. Gardner’s coaching helped Jadhav deliver strong performances, including defeating Australia’s Bert Harris in the opening minutes of their bout and overcoming Billy Jernigan of the US. However, he was eventually eliminated after a loss to Mansour Raeisi of Iran.

Determined to excel, Jadhav spent the next four years training rigorously for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, where he competed in the 125 lb bantamweight category against wrestlers from 24 countries. On 23 July 1952, he made history by winning the bronze medal after defeating opponents from Canada, Mexico, and Germany. This remarkable victory earned him the distinction of being India’s first individual Olympic medalist.

The sports infrastructure in Satara district is well-developed, with a variety of gymkhanas, stadiums, turfs, and practice clubs (Talim Sanghs) that actively contribute to fostering athletic talent. Notable institutions include the Satara Gymkhana and the Satara City Talim Sangh, established in 1962.

Historic clubs and organizations also play a significant role in the district’s sporting heritage, such as the Univan Club of Satara (established in 1889) and the Gajanan Exercise School of Satara (established in 1920). The Arya Krida Mandal, formed through the merger of Sri Krishna Mandal of Satara (1921) and Veer Abhimanyu Mandal, Bogda (Satara), continues to promote sports alongside the Mahatma Gandhi Sports Board, Satara (established in 1922), Shri Shivaji Uday Mandal, Satara (1945), and Bharatmata Mandal, Satara (1949).

Additionally, the district features Shahu Stadium and the Sports Complex in Satara, which provide modern facilities for various sports. Many players trained at these institutions have gone on to compete at the All-India level, highlighting Satara's strong commitment to sports development.

The Sachin Tendulkar Foundation (STF), in partnership with Mann Deshi Champions, unveiled a state-of-the-art sports facility in Satara in December 2024. The inauguration ceremony was graced by Sachin Tendulkar, Anjali Tendulkar, and Sara Tendulkar.

This modern facility boasts world-class amenities, including basketball and badminton courts, indoor areas for wrestling and boxing, classrooms, administrative offices, and hostel accommodations for 150 athletes. Designed to empower rural youth, the center aims to provide high-quality sports training and create opportunities for aspiring athletes to excel on a larger stage.