The Hindu

Mangalore, Mar 22:  “A gold medallist in Chemistry or Home Science is at best compared to a few hundreds or a few thousands belonging to that department; but a sportsperson needs to compete with over 53,000 students of Mangalore University to reach the top position,” said chairman of the Alva’s Educational Foundation M. Mohan Alva on Saturday.

He was speaking at a function, organised by the Mangalore University, to felicitate its sportspersons, who had excelled at the national-level inter-university competitions. Stating that the recipients of various awards were a step ahead of even those who excelled within the university, he said: “The boys and girls being honoured today are the best among lakhs of students studying in thousands of colleges across the country.”

Award winners

Students felicitated on Saturday were: Reshma (powerlifting), and Sanal Padmanabhan (bodybuilding) - both from Alva’s College, Moodabidri, received Rs. 20,000 each for securing gold medals at the nationals; K.B. Nirupama (Javelin throw) from Alva’s College, Modabidri, Rs. 10,000 for securing silver medal; and Jamaluddin (100 metres dash), Alva’s College, Moodabidri, and Olympian M.R. Poovamma (400 metres sprint), Rs. 7,000 each for securing bronze medals.

Championship

Another 15 sportspersons were awarded Rs. 3,000 each for securing silver medals at the team events of 4x100-m relay and Ball badminton.

In the team placing, the Alva’s College of Moodabidri got two overall champions’ trophies in the men and women’s categories, in addition to a cash prize of Rs. 6,000.

The men’s overall runners-up trophy, along with a cash prize of Rs. 4,000, was won by St. Aloysius College, Mangalore, and the corresponding trophy for the women’s section was taken by the Alva’s College, Moodabidri.