Silvester D’Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Nov 8: "Sports is necessary to maintain the equilibrium between mind and body. If a student concentrates on the sport of his liking, he can excel in it. Several groups are active in identifying sports talent at the rural level. Sportspersons should take advantage of the facilities," said T Mendon, district panchayat member.

He was speaking after inaugurating Kundapur region sports conference 'Jai Ho 2013' held at Kundapur Gandhi maidan under the aegis of Udupi zilla panchayat, department of public instruction, regional education office and St Mary’s educational institutions. The conference will be held on November 7 and 8.

T Sriyan, president of zilla panchayat health and education, hoisted the sports flag and said that the physical education teachers should identify and encourage the hidden sports talent among students. When students participate in more and more competitions, they will be inspired by them. It is depressing to see only twenty high schools participating in the rally, even though there are forty high schools in the region. Do not let fear grow in children, he said.

Rajesh Kaveri, volley ball player and member of the town municipality lighted the sports flame and said the sportspersons are preferred in all walks of life. They should make use of the opportunities to represent the state and the country, he said.

Mamata R Shetty, vice president of the zilla panchayat took the salute at the sports rally. Fr Anil D’ Souza, convener of St Mary’s educational institutions inaugurated the rally. Taluk panchayat president Deepika Shetty presided over the programme.

Kalavati U S, president of the Municipal council; Vice president of Holy Rosary church, Michael Braganza; Physical education official Seetanadi Vittala Shetty; president of district physical education teachers association, Karunakar Shetty; president of district aided primary school teacher association, K V Balachandra Shetty; Kundapur region physical education teachers association president
Kusumakar Shetty; Kundapur region primary school teacher association president M Sadarama Shetty and Inspector of physical education, Dattatreya Nayak were the chief guests.

Town municipal council members Gunaratna, Pushpa Shet, Ravikala Ganesh Sherugar, Vijaya S Poojary, Udaya Mendon, Sridhar Sherugar, Raghavendra Devadiga, Shakuntala Prakash, Headmistress of St Mary’s higher primary school Dorothy Suares, Holy Rosary school headmistress Joycelin A C, Physical education teacher Chandrashekar Beejadi, Shanti Rani, central resource person, Shobha Shetty and Youth sports and services official Dinakar Hegde were present.

St Mary’s school student Saumya led the oath taking ceremony. Vice president of state teachers association Arooru Thimmappa Hegde and physical education teacher Prakash Shetty Belagodu conducted the programme. Regional education official Gopal Shetty welcomed the gathering and L J Fernandes, headmaster of St Marys High School thanked.

The sports flame was brought in an attractive rally prior to the programme. Musical James band and coloured umbrellas made the sight all the more attractive.

There was a small cultural programme at the beginning of the programme. The students wearing colored costumes danced to the tunes of songs which followed by clapping and appreciation by the crowd