Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SHS)
Mangalore, Jul 30: "The city corporation has drawn consensus among corporates to organize a sports event under the name of Mayor Cup," announced mayor Mahabala Maarla on Tuesday July 30.
He was speaking after inaugurating the 18th Independence Cup football tournament organized by Dakshina Kannada Football Association (DKFA) at Nehru Maidan here.
He further said that the decision in connection to the Mayor Cup event will be formal after corporates give their nod in the meeting scheduled on Wednesday July 30.
"The decision to hold sports event is to encourage sports in the district and to facilitate students' dream to participate at higher level of sports events," he added.
The Independence Cup tournament kicked off with ZP president Asha Thimmappa Gowda lighting the lamp. The tournament will go on till the day of Independence Day. As many as 215 teams will participate in the event.
Maarla stressing on the need of support football and others sports in Mangalore said that the city would focus on enhancing the quality of sports played by the students.
He congratulated the district football team for bagging the championship cup at the state level and asked the DKFA to persuade more number of children to take up the sports.
Maarla, who is also the president of district cricket association further said, "The corporates have expressed solidarity for organizing the Mayor Cup, which would help in shaping better level of sports in the district. The decision will be taken in the meeting without any delay." He also wished success for the football tournament.
Asha Thimmappa said that cultivating both education and sports would spark the overall growth of a student.
She stressed that schools and colleges need to be flexible in integrating sports in the curriculum. "The government should allot sufficient funds for various games to invigorate every game.
Contrary to last year, the football tournament this time has received whopping response. John D'Souza, coach and former Indian player in under-18 league said, "The fervor for football in the district is picking up. The support that schools receive from the association is laudable. This year the tournament saw thumping registration from 215 teams, which itself exhibits the interest of the students."
He felt that despite passion, Indians have failed to make a mark at the international level, and this, according to John was due to lack of facilities provided by successive governments.
He argued that Mangalore requires at least two football grounds to push the level of game forward in the days to come.