Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)
Mangaluru, Apr 22: Minister for youth services and sports K Abhayachandra Jain on Wednesday April 22 released the invitation card for the 19th Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championship which will be held from April 30 at Mangala Stadium.
Speaking to media persons after the inauguration, Jain said, "It is a joyous occasion for all of us to organize the 19th Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championship in Mangaluru. The 19th Federation Cup is being organised jointly by the Karnataka Amateur Athletic Association, Dakshina Kannada Athletic Association and the district administration.
"We are hopeful that the event will be a successful one. All the facilities that are required for the event are already arranged with the full cooperation of the district administration, the MCC, MUDA, and the food commitee. The event will be organized during both day and night," he added.
He further said, "Floodlights worth Rs 22 lac are being installed. We wanted to make them permanent but as the maintenance cost is very high we are installing them for temporary purpose only. But we have not compromised on any facilities required for the event.
"The proposal to extend the galleries is already submitted to the CM. The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) will conduct drug tests here. The police are prepared to provide all the security arrangements for the event," he added.
"This event is important as national athletes will get a chance to qualify for the 21st Asian Athletics Championships 2015 to be held in June at Wuhan, China. The CM will be arriving for the inaugural programme. Athletics Federation of India (AFI) president Adille J Sumariwalla, Bollyhood actor Suniel Shetty, Karnataka Athletics Association president and state Congress president G Parameshwar will be present on the occasion along with other chief guests. Aafreen Rachel Vaz, the first runner-up at the FBB Femina Miss India 2015 will be present at the closing prize distribution ceremony," he informed.
He also said that all the three stadiums of Dakshina Kannada have already been provided Rs 20 lac for laying turf.
Answering questions raised by media persons, Manjunath Bhandary, president of Dakshina Kannada Athletics Association (DKAA) said, "A minimum 1200 watts floodlight is a must for photo finish games, as even a single mistake will affect the championship. We do not want to take risks, so we are not hosting any complicated sports events during the evening. A total of 48 events will conducted. As much as 75% of the sports materials has been received from the sports association, and the remaining will be recieved before April 26. The new sports materials purchased for the event are worth Rs 60 lac. At least 350 rooms have been booked, and we are expecting around 700 athletes and 200 officials from all over India. We are planning a grand opening ceremony with the help of Dr Mohan Alva. We are certain that the event will be a successful one."
Former Indian athlete P T Usha, MLC Ivan D'Souza, educationalist A Sadananda Shetty, police commissioner S Murugan, mayor Jacinta Alfred and others were present.