Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MD)
Mangaluru, Apr 29: With just a day to go for the inauguration of the 19th Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championship in which nearly a thousand athletes from across the country will be participating, KPCC president Dr Parameshwar, who is also the president of Karnataka Athletics Association, on Wednesday April 29 inspected Mangala Stadium, the venue for the event, where preparations are going on in full swing.
Addressing reporters later, Dr Parameshwar said, "First of all, I would like to thank the Athletics Federation of India for giving us this opportunity. From the past one-and-a-half months we are making preparations and all the ministers are busy with it. It has been possible to host the 19th Athletics Federation Cup due to the efforts of ministers Abhaychandra Jain, Ramanath Rai, Vinay Kumar Sorake and U T Khadar."
He further said, "Chief minister Siddaramaiah has provided his full support and he is the one encouraging youth towards sports. Earlier Mangala Stadium was not able to conduct national-level sports, but with all the efforts put in by the ministers, the MCC, the DC and various other officials, it is going to happen this time."
Regarding the prepations, he said, "So far 95 percent of the work is over and by this evening 100 percent work will be complete. In every event, the last five percent work is finished at the end. As many as 200 officials and 200 athletes are already here and by tomorrow (Thursday April 30), another 700 athletes will arrive in the city. We have already arranged accomodation and food for them."
He also said that doping test is one of the main aspects of athletics and officials from National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) will be in the city to monitor it. A doping test centre was inaugurated at the venue on Tuesday April 28.
A gallery has been provided for the media with electrical connections for laptops and other equipment, Dr Parameshwar said, even as he lauded the media for the coverage on the event so far.
Asked whether CM Siddaramaiah would be gracing the inaugural ceremony on April 30, he said, "The CM has a special meeting with the Prime Minister over Mekedatu issue tomorrow, and also a meeting regarding Swachch Bharat Abhiyan of which he is a member. However, I have requested him to come by a special flight and he has assured that he would try his best."
If the CM is unable to come, minister R V Deshpande or some other minister would be inaugurating the event. It would be decided just before the ceremony, he said.
Health minister U T Khadar said, "Very soon a sports injury medical centre will be opened in Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Bengaluru for athletes and other sportspersons. The hospital has many units, and one of them will be reserved for sportspersons. A single orthoscope costs Rs one crore. With this special facility, sportspersons can recover quickly from injuries and continue their sports within no time."
Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim said that every day during the course of the four-day event, there will be briefing after two sessions. "We are trying to get 10,000 students to watch the event. We will hold a meeting with the heads of all the schools and colleges in this regard," he added.
Regarding the bus strike on April 30, he said he has requested bus owners to exempt Dakshina Kannada from it. At this point, MLC Ivan D'Souza who was also present assured that private buses would be operating.
MLA J R Lobo, Mithun Rai, Manjunath Bhandary and Chandrashekar Rai were present.
The inaugural ceremony will begin on April 30 at 5.15 pm with a cultural procession, and the formal stage function will be held at 6.15 pm. Thereafter, cultural events will be held till 9.15 pm. The athletics events will held from May 1 to May 4.