Seat of erstwhile kingdom of the Wodeyars, Mysore is a  city of Palaces and Temples replete with history and heritage, tradition and culture. The rustle of the finest silks and an atmosphere laden with sandal and jasmine envelops the city. Mysore  city has been a center for excellence in studies, arts and culture and was a princely state ruled by the Wodeyars. The erstwhile rulers of then Mysore patronized arts, and culture and sports in a big way. During the World famous Dasara festival every year, arts, culture, music programmes and sporting events were conducted in which cream of the talent from the state and country would participate. Mysore has been regularly contributing talented sportsmen to the country from time to time and has been living up in its rich tradition.

         Two decades back, wrestling, football and kho-kho were the popular sports patronized. Players like Varadarajan (Ex-Indian  Olympian Goalkeeper), Papanna (Mardeka tourney) and Nanjundiah (India in Asian Cup) in football, N.Prakash(the former Mayor of our city) the first kho-kho player from our state to receive the "Ekalavya" National Award in kho-kho and many wrestlers of fame who donned Indian colours have brought fame and laurel to Mysore with their performance. Nagaraj from Southern Railways, Mysore donning Indian colours made every one proud by reaching the Quarter-final stage in the men's single's section of the World Table Tennis Championship.  

         In the recent times  others sports like Cricket, Motor Racing, basketball, hockey, Volleyball, Roller Skating, and Athletics became popular and many of the men went on to represent the country. Our country's premier fast bowler, Javagal Srinath is from Mysore and cricketers like Jaishankar Menon, Rajashekar Shanbal and Dharmichand (all represented India U-19) represented the country. Prahalad Srinath, a product of Mysore Tennis Club (Mysore) is amongst the top tennis players in the country and has represented the country in the Davis Cup and Asia Cup matches. Players like N.P. Raghuveer, Mohith  Vijay Kumar, D.R. Jayadeva, R.Nagaraj, G.Bharatraj and M.V.Abhayprakash have also made their mark.

        In athletics, well known athletes like Seetharam (1982, Asian Games, Bronze medal winner  in Marathon),  Somashekar (SAF, Games Silver medal winner in 100m), Nagendra Prasad (SAF games and National games gold in high jump), in the men's section and Reeth Abraham(Silver in long jump at SAF games), E.B.Shyla,Umadevi and Sridevi are from Mysore.

        Rahul Ganapathy , the golfing sensation from Mysore became the first Indian from the South to win the National tournament golf championship , in  its 99 year history when he won the 36-hole final in the 99th Amateur golf championship of India held at Delhi golf course, from Feb6 to 12 1999. He has since turned a professional and he is in the reckoning to bag the "Mahindra Rookie of the year" award.

         Mysore has good infrastructure facilities combined with excellent climate suitable for sporting activities. The Mysore University one of the oldest universities in the country has a good sports program and has excellent infrastructure facilities with cinder athletic track (Oval ground , only one of its kind in the state), tennis courts (Flood-lit), Indoor gymnasium hall, basketball courts, Hockey and Football grounds , cricket grounds at Maharaja college, Gangothri Glades stadium at the University campus. A full pledged swimming pool  maintained by the University at Saraswathipuram caters to the needs of the swimming fraternity. The National games held in the city in 1999  was a boon and a new Indoor stadium which has a seating capacity of 3000 was built at the Chamundivihar Sports complex where  basketball,Table Tennis,Gymnastics,Wrestling,Hand Ball,shuttle Badminton facilities are avaliable.

       The Wodeyars designed and developed Horse racing and the Race club is designed in a picturesque backdrop of the Chamundi hills. The Jayachamaraja Wodeyar Golf Club has excellent facilities with a 70- par course and has 18 holes around the race course.The Wodeyars and the Sports loving Late F.K.Irani were instrumental in promoting sports in Mysore in a big way.

      The Department of Youth Services and Sports, Mysore will be  constructing a International standard swimming pool adjacent to the Chamundivihar Indoor stadium shortly. The Mysore Tennis club, Chamarajapuram has the largest number of 8 courts in our country and Prahalad Srinath is a product of this Club. With the above Infrastructure base, Mysore as rich as its tradition has abundant sporting talent, and we would like to bring to you the facts and figures of Mysore sport.