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This specialized center will be dedicated to maintaining the health of athletes and will be only the second of its kind in the country, with the first already functioning in Thrissur, Kerala. The Mangaluru center will be unique as it will incorporate all AYUSH disciplines including Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy.
Primary Phase Operations
In its initial phase, the center will operate as an Outpatient Department (OPD) within the AYUSH hospital at Wenlock, with a few beds available. The state government has already approved the purchase of necessary equipment and the sanctioning of required staff for the center.
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Once the center begins operations, reports on its functioning, the number of athletes benefitting, and the types of treatments provided will be submitted to the Central AYUSH department. Based on these reports, approval for constructing a fully equipped building for the center is expected.
Dr. Mohammad Iqbal, District AYUSH Officer, stated that the land for the center, around 30 cents near the Mangala Stadium, has been identified. An estimated Rs 8 crore will be needed for the construction, with 60% of the funding expected from the Central AYUSH Mission and 40% from the state government.
Mangaluru’s Growing Importance
The establishment of the AYUSH Sports Medicine Center in Mangaluru is driven by two factors: the city’s status as a medical and educational hub, and the growing interest in sports among the youth in Dakshina Kannada district. The center will strengthen Mangaluru’s position as a medical hub and will provide specialized facilities for athletes from across the country.
Operational Framework
The center will include a Fitness Management and Injury Management division, equipped with a fitness lab to assess fitness levels, diet, lifestyle management, and counseling. The Injury Management division will treat joint and muscle injuries sustained during sports activities. The center is expected to attract athletes from various parts of the country, necessitating an international standard facility with a sports laboratory, therapy center, and rest areas.
“Following the approval from the state, the DPR has been sent to the Central AYUSH Mission, which has responded positively. The center will initially start at the AYUSH hospital in Wenlock before expanding further,” said Dr. Anant Desai, Project Director, National AYUSH Mission, Karnataka.
Translated version of Kannada article by Bharath Shettigar