Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Oct 4: “Milagres English Medium School, Kallianpur will organise a three-day state level table tennis tournament for the first time in Udupi from October 6 to 8 in association for primary and high school students, in association with Udupi zilla panchayat, district administration, Public Education Department, deputy director office and Education officers Brahmavar zone,” said Fr Lancy Fernandes, principal and president of organising committee, Milagres English Medium School Kallianpur, at Udupi press club here on Wednesday, October, 3.
He further said, “The inauguration of the tournament will be held on Saturday, October 6 at Tricentennial hall Milagres School, Kallianpur.
“Prior to the sports event, a grand procession will be carried out from Santhekatte to Millagres English Medium School, on October 6 at 3.15 pm.
“The formal stage function will start at 4.30 pm at Tricentennial hall Millagres. Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat will preside over the programme. The main chief guests will be Dr Jayamala, district in-charge minister, Udupi, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese and others. The special guest would be the winner of table tennis in Common Wealth Games 2010.
“On October 7, there will be various cultural programmes. Special guests for the cultural evening will be a famous Konkani film actress and old student of Milagres School Rensita D'Souza, Karnataka young singer awardee and old student of Milagres School Gargi Shabharay, Kannada Big Boss reality show fame Sukrutha Vagle will also be present.
“There will be Sangeethotsava by popular singer Prajoth D'Sa, Yakshagana for one hour, felicitation of old students for their remarkable achievements and other programmes by Milagres Group of Institutions. Old students, who have achieved in sports field in past ten years will also be felicitated,” he said.
In addition, Fr Lancy Fernandes said, “Fr Dr Lawrence D'Souza, parish priest of Milagres Cathedral Kallianpur and convener of Milagres Group of Educational Institutions, will preside over the valedictory ceremony. The other chief guest will be former MLA Pramod Madhwaraj, deputy commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis, CEO of Udupi zilla panchayat Shivanand Kapashi and district police superintendent Laxman Nimbargi will also be present.
Dr Fr Lawrence said, “We have all set to organise the table tennis tournament. The event is being organised with the support of Rotary, JCI, and taluk panchayat, Kallianpur. The tournament will not have entry fee. All required arrangements like food and accommodation have been made by the organisers. Separate accommodation is arranged for girls and boys. Milagres PUC and Degree College for girls, Milagres Kannada and English Medium Schools and TM Pai School for Boys. Twenty-five different committees have been formed. About 200 students and 70 teachers will serve as volunteers.”
Madhukar S, district physical education supervisor, Udupi Public Education Department said, “The organisers are set to welcome state teams. They have made good arrangements for players and coordinators of the teams. The sports event will start at 6pm, followed by inauguration.
“The tournament will be held in four phases. We are expecting teams from 34 districts. Each district will have five teams. Each teams will have 5 members. About 680 students are expected to be participating in the tournament. There will be a coordinator or in-charge for all teams. Eight tables have been arranged to play table tennis.
“Twenty finalists will qualify to participate in national level table tennis tournament to be held in Agra in November.
“The first, second and third prize winners team will be awarded attractive trophy and certificate,” he said.
Vincent Mascarenhas, secretary, Veers D'Silva, headmistress of Milagres primary school and Vinay Shet, physical education teacher were present.