Rons Bantwal
Mumbai, Feb 9: "The BSKBA is credited with the people of communities a hundred years ago. Even after a century you are doing a good job for the community in Mumbai. This is the first time in the century that the sports festival is to unite all societies of Tulunadu. Such a united sport is essential. It is happy to see our youngsters taking part in marchpast, All of them are the future of the community and the country," said former MP of the Borivali Lok Sabha constituency, Gopal C Shetty, adding that sports model of the Prime Minister of India is an incentive model.
BSKB Association Mumbai (Gokula) organised a programme for Tulu Kannadigas in Brihanmumbai as part of its centenary year at Poisar Gymkhana Stadium in Kandivali West,on Sunday morning. Gokul Mumbai Tulu Kannadiga Games 2025' Ramanath Payyade's stage lit a lamp with a sports torch and inaugurated the games.
BSKB Association president Dr Suresh S Rao Katelu presided over the inaugural function while guests flew the balloon aloft and ceremonially launched the Games.
Bunts Sangha Mumbai president Praveen B Shetty was the chief guest while president of Reliance Industries Group B Narayana, managing director of Vibrant Expotex B Ramananda Rao, Mogaveera Managing Board chairman Arun Kumar, Billawa Association Mumbai president Harish G Amin, Devadiga Sangha Mumbai president Praveen N Devadiga, former president Dharmapal U.Devadiga, Thiya Samaj Mumbai former president Chadrashekar R Belchada, Ganiga Samaja Mumbai president Vijayendra V Ganiga, former honourable president Kutpadi Ramachandra M Ganiga, Bharat Co Op Bank (Mumbai) Limited chairman Suryakant J Suvarna, Kannadiga Kalavidara Parishat president Surendrakumar Hegde, Poisar Gymkhana vice president Karunakara Shetty and RadioSit CEO Likhit Kukyan held the stage as special guests.
Dr Suresh Rao welcomed and thanked all those who had graciously taken part in the festival of the games. "This sport is not for competition, but for the unity of harmony," he said adding that "all of us are always smiling, happy and enthusiastic and wishes to inspire such a sporting festival to be prosperous."
Sponsors Groos Lands Udupi Girish Shetty, Vineet S Amin, Karnataka Bank branch officer Pooja Shetty and other dignitaries were present. Senior athletes Jaya A Shetty, Vithal S Alva and Rajesh Shetty managed the Kreedotsava. Food committee vice president Y Gururaja Bhat and convener Manjarabettu Krishna led the sports festival with arranged food.
Gurudeva Deva Balaga Maharashtra unit president Prakash Shetty Petemane, BSKB vice presidents Vaman N Holla and Avinash S Shastri, Hon secretary Anantha Padmanaban K Potty, Jt secretary Mohanraj Y, Jt. treasurer Ganesh Bhat, ladies wing chairperson Sahana A.Potty, media committee chairperson I K Prema Subramanya Rao, Gokula Kalavrinda Samiti Chairperson P Vinodini Rajesh Rao, convenor Shailini A. Rao, information technology & social media committee chairman Deepak Shivathaya, committee members, subcommittee and members were present.
In the beginning Archaka Akshay Ballal and Ramavithala Kalluraya offered pooja to Lord Krishna and performed Vedaghosa at the inaugural of the sport event. Vaman N Holla welcomed. Athlete Savitri Mohanraj surrounded the stadium and brought the torchlight to the stage. Youth Wing president and Sports Committee chairperson Prashant R Herle administered the sports pledge. Honorary treasurer CA Haridas Bhat and secretary Chitra A Melmane introduced the guests and hosted the event. A P K Poti delivered the vote of thanks.
As part of the sports festival on Saturday, a cricket tournament was held between 16 teams while volleyball for men on Sundays, throwball for women and Tug of War for men and women, a separate race for men and women, a separate race, relay mixed, long jump, shot put, walking race, were organised for Tulu Kannadiga associations in the city.