Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)
Mangaluru, Dec 14: All India general secretary of Kreeda Bharati, Raj Chaudhary inaugurated the Karnataka unit of the Kreeda Bharati on December 14 at Nehru Maidan.
Raj Chaudhary hoisted the Kreeda Bharati flag and officially inaugurated the event, breaking the coconut and releasing balloons into the air.
An inter-collegiate Kabaddi tournament for men and women has also been organized as part of the event at Nehru Maidan. In addition, there is a tug of war competition for men and women.
About 46 teams are participating (36 men and 10 women) in the Kabaddi tournament and 30 teams in tug of war competition.
The programme began with the rendition of Vande Mataram by Akshata Shetty, followed by dance of Nrathya Bharati.
The former BJP minister, B Nagaraj Shetty gave a floral welcome along with turban and shawl.
Asha Thimmappa, president of zilla panchayat presided over the function.
Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel addressing the gathering said, "It is a happy moment to see that Kreeda Bharati is supporting the national game. Cricket has been dominating the other games from a very long period but this year it is the opposite. Many players in Kabaddi, athletics and in others games have made India proud. Modi government is committed to providing jobs to sportsmen and women in various companies. We also plan to invite the sports minister within six months and discuss about the sports issues and other things. I wish all success to the participants in Kabaddi, may you win more and more tournaments and make India proud."
Athletes Sahana and M R Poovamma, the international sports achievers were honoured at the occassion.
Raj Chaudhary in his address said, "Kabaddi is a national game and we have respect for it and play it. It has been played in India from ages. As a sportsperson, I should not talk much. So I wish all the best."
Mayor Mahabala Maarla said, "MCC is ready to support the growth of sports in the city. In order to encourage sports in the city, we have started 'Mayor Cup'. We want more sports meets to be organized in the future, so that many can participate in national-level competitions and represent Mangaluru internationally. I thank all for inviting me."
RSS Mangalore Vibhag Sanghachalak Dr P Vaman Shenoy, Alva's Education Foundation (AEF) chairman Dr M Mohan Alva, working president of VHP Karnataka M B Puranik, South Indian film actor Suman Talwar, body builder Raymond D'Souza and others were present on the occassion.
During the closing ceremony in the evening, the participating Kabaddi teams would be given an honorarium of Rs 1,000. In addition, the winning teams in the order of first to fourth would take home Rs 10,000, Rs 7,000, Rs 4,000 and Rs 4,000, respectively.
In the tug of war competition, the first two winning teams would be given cash prizes of Rs 8,000 and Rs 5,000.
The opening ceremony was compered by Dayanand Kattalsar.