Jamshedpur: Sport climbing is steadily scaling the popularity graph in the steel city.

The number of entries at Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF) has increased as many as 14 times in three years, indicating that the message on the wall is loud and clear for thrill junkies, particularly youngsters.

According to senior manager Hemant Gupta, sport climbing started at TSAF in 2014-15 with just five enthusiasts. "We have 70 (climbers) now. Kids and teenagers are showing more inclination towards this activity," he said.

The premier adventure outfit, which boasts the only artificial sport climbing wall in Jharkhand, is serious about promoting the discipline, which will be one of the events (on experimental basis) at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The TSAF has, so far, produced two international climbers - Talim Ansari and Aman Verma. "We are confident of grooming more. We have a talented bunch of climbers who can reach the upper echelons of the game," said Gupta, an Everester himself.

The adventure outfit charges Rs 350 per month from trainees. Bibhas Roy, a route setter from Calcutta, heads the training team. Sport climbing is conducted in speed, lead and bouldering categories. While speed and lead sections are conducted on two 50ft tall walls, bouldering takes place at a 15ft facility.

In pure speed climbing, time is everything, but it is also common to record pace of ascents while observing a particular climbing style or ethic.

Lead climbing involves a lead climber and a belayer. The latter has multiple roles: holding the rope in the event of a fall and paying out or taking up rope as the climber moves.

Bouldering, on the other hand, is performed on small rock formations or artificial rock walls without the use of ropes or harnesses. While it can be done without any equipment, most climbers use climbing shoes to help secure foothold, chalk to keep their hands dry and provide a firmer grip, and bouldering mats to prevent injuries from falls.

Gupta said TSAF trainees want to compete in state and national competitions. "Our climbers have won eight medals - five gold and three silver - at national events since 2014. Perhaps, newcomers will win more," he added.

Fresher Siddharth Kumar (14) said he loved sport climbing because it made his adrenaline surge. "The sport is super exciting. You got to do it to believe it," he beamed.

Gayatri Kumari (12), who joined the cradle a week ago, said she wanted to win national and international medals. "I am enjoying the training. It is no cakewalk though," she added.