ABOUT US
Expertly Navigating The Future
We empower climbers of all ages to push their limits, building a vibrant community where passion meets peak performance.
ABOUT US
Nothing Feels Better Than A Successful Climb
The Maharashtra Sport Climbing Association (MSCA) was established in 2025 with a mission to promote Sport Climbing across the state, in collaboration with infrastructural support from the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). This visionary initiative is the brainchild of Mr. Surendra Shelke, an avid mountaineer and sport climber, and Mr. Sagar Palkar, an Everester and passionate advocate for adventure and sports among the youth. Mr. Shrikrishna Kaduskar has played a pivotal role in translating this vision into action on the ground, making significant strides in taking sport climbing to the next level.
BENEFIT
Get Various Benefits If You Join Our Club
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GOAL SETTING
We encourage setting clear, focused, and achievable goals, and work systematically to reach each milestone—one climb at a time.
SELF-BELIEF
We foster unwavering confidence by instilling strong values, empowering climbers to trust themselves—on the wall and in life.
SPORTSMANSHIP
We promote fairness, humility, and mutual respect—celebrating victories with grace and accepting setbacks with dignity.
DISCIPLINE
We shape character through commitment—no shortcuts, respect for time, sacrifice, and adherence to instructions and climbing protocols.
Foundational Journey: From PCMA to MSCA
The founders of MSCA — Mr. Surendra Shelke, Mr. Sagar Palkar, and Mr. Shrikrishna Kaduskar — were also the driving force behind the Pimpri Chinchwad Mountaineering Association (PCMA). PCMA proposed the idea of a climbing wall to PCMC in the late 1990s. In a landmark moment, Surendra Shelke and a few associates traveled all the way to Bikaner—not to compete, but to observe the West Zone Sport Climbing Championship firsthand, as part of their preparation for building a climbing wall in PCMC.
In 2000, their efforts bore fruit with the construction of the first-ever competition-standard climbing wall at Annasaheb Magar Stadium, built through PCMC’s support. Surendra Shelke, affectionately known as Surya, was the backbone of this project. Without his relentless drive, this wall would not have materialized.
Pioneering Competitions and Infrastructure Development
Under the guidance of the late Khaire Sir and Surya, PCMA successfully hosted the first West Zone Sport Climbing Championship in 2002, followed by the National Championship in 2005. The overwhelming success of the 2005 Nationals inspired the team to propose another climbing wall—this time in Pune.
Though the proposal was submitted in 2005, it took five years of tireless follow-up to bring the Raje Shivaji Climbing Wall in Shivajinagar, Pune, to life. The journey was not easy—over 150 potential sites were reviewed, with many rejected due to resistance from locals and political representatives unfamiliar with the sport. In one instance, even after finalizing the land and gathering for a Bhumi Poojan (groundbreaking ceremony), opposition from locals forced the project to be scrapped at that location.
Nevertheless, perseverance prevailed. The wall was finally built in 2010 and became functional by 2012. It proudly hosted the first homologated speed climbing wall in India, and also introduced the country’s first timing device for speed climbing, setting new national standards.
Shaping Policy for Adventure and Sport Climbing
In 2010, with news of the Maharashtra Government formulating a Sports Policy, the PCMA saw a major opportunity. While many adventure groups submitted fragmented requests for support (tickets, expedition funds, etc.), PCMA took a different route. After first understanding the government’s intent, two detailed presentations were submitted:
1) A comprehensive proposal for all adventure sports (Air, Water, and Land), emphasizing mountaineering and rock climbing.
2) A dedicated proposal for Sport Climbing.
This proactive and structured approach led to a landmark outcome:
1) A separate chapter on Adventure Sports was added in the 2012 Maharashtra State Sports Policy.
2) The policy recognized Air, Water, and Land-based adventure sports as distinct disciplines, each meriting individual awards.
3) Sport Climbing was formally recognized, and it was decided to include it in the prestigious Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Awards.
In a historic acknowledgment, the contributions of Surendra Shelke and Shrikrishna Kaduskar were specifically mentioned in the 2012 Sport Policy.
Building a National Climbing Ecosystem
Since 2000, PCMA and its successors have worked relentlessly to promote Sport Climbing, creating a robust talent pipeline that includes:
- National and International medal winners
- Belayers, route setters, and judges who now serve across India
- Elite coaches like Amol, Mantu, and Irfan — with Amol also having served as theNational Coach for Asian competitions
Notably, four homegrown champions:
- Hritik Marne aka Nanya
- Shreya Nankar
- Sahil Khan
- Saniya Shaikh
---have been honored with the Shiv Chhatrapati Rajya Krida Puraskar, Maharashtra’s highest sporting accolade. These achievements stand as a testament to decades of dedication in building the sport from the grassroots.
Empowering the Underprivileged
A unique and heartwarming aspect of this journey is the socio-economic background of many trained athletes. A significant number of them come from underprivileged communities and urban slums. Through the association’s support, they have risen not only as athletes but have now become coaches, trainers, and officials — emerging as leaders of the next generation.
The World-Class PCMC Climbing Wall & Future Vision
The most recent milestone is the erection of the world-class climbing wall at PCMC's Yoga Park, a result of untiring efforts by Surendra Shelke and Shrikrishna Kaduskar. Regarded as the best in India and among the top in the world, this facility marks a new era in Indian climbing infrastructure.
Recognizing the potential, the MSCA has embarked on an ambitious journey to establish a structured Sport Climbing Academy, with the ultimate aim of producing Olympic medalists by 2036 — a vision aligned with government of India’s long-term sports development goals.
MSCA & PCMC: A Strategic Partnership
MSCA has entered into a 20 year agreement with PCMC to manage and operate the Climbing Wall at Yoga Park. Under this partnership:
- MSCA will oversee all day-to-day operations, training, coaching, and events.
- PCMC will continue to provide infrastructure and institutional support.
Conclusion
This legacy and structured development illustrate MSCA’s unmatched credibility, expertise, and vision in the field of Sport Climbing. The team has:
- Nurtured champions from marginalized backgrounds
- Created a national ecosystem of coaches and officials
- Influenced state sports policy
- Built world-class infrastructure
The journey so far is a blueprint for sustainable, inclusive, and high-performance sport development. With the foundation laid and vision aligned, MSCA is fully prepared to take Indian Sport Climbing to Olympic glory by 2036.