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’JAYOGATHA’ RELEASED: AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF KABADDI PLAYER, ADMINISTRATOR JAYA SHETTY

Mumbai (RBI), Jan.19: Jayogatha, an autobiography of former kabaddi player and organiser Jaya Shetty was released on Sunday, January 15 in a well attended function at the Bunts Sangh Complex in Kurla. Aikala Harish Shetty, President World Bunts Sangh, Pravin Bhoja Shetty, President Mumbai Bunts, triple Hockey  Olympian and gold medalist M M Somaya, Sadanand Shete (first Arjuna Awardee in Kabaddi) did the honours.
Other dignitaries present were Namdev Shirgaonkar(Secretary MOA), Cricket administrators Dr P V Shetty, Ajinkya Naik and Shripad Halbe. Jay Kawli (President Indian Boxing Federation) and Rahul Walanj of Sahyadri Kreeda Mandal too were present.

Most of the speakers described Jaya as a ’true servant of sports’ who has dedicated almost six decades of his life for the betterment of sports and society in general.

Co-authored by Sports writer and commentator Ranjit Dalvi the first ever book on the sport it traces its origins right up-to its development over the last 6-7 decades. The book is expected to serve as a reference document.

Jaya after his active playing days for the famed outfit Bank of Maharashtra went on to manage the institution’s sports body. He further graduated to the Banks Sports Board as its West Zone Secretary and also Convenor of the Indigenous Sports Wing.

During his tenure he prompted the Board to consider special promotion opportunities for Kabaddi and Kho kho players representing their respective states and country.

His biggest achievement was the organization of two World Cup Kabaddi Championships at Mumbai and Panvel in 2004 and 2007 respectively.
He was also the CEO of the fledgling International Kabaddi Federation formed under the leadership of Janardan Singh Gehlot the then President of Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India.

Interestingly, Jaya’s better half Chaya Bandodkar-Shetty led Maharashtra in the National Kabaddi Championships when it won the title in 1975 at Salem in TN.

Son Gaurav played for the country in the Asian Games at Doha Qatar in 2006, where India won the Kabaddi gold. He also played in the World Cup at Panvel and SAF Games at Colombo. All the three family members are Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Awardees. A unique achievement indeed.