Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (EC)
Udupi, Jan 23: The third national level open invitational Karate championship, organized under Kubodo Budokan Karate-Do Karnataka, kick-started at the Mahatma Gandhi Stadium, Ajjarkad here on Saturday, January 23.
Dr G Shankar, promoter, G Shankar Family Trust (R), Udupi inaugurated the event and Sri Laxmivarateertha Swamiji of Shiroor Math blessed the occasion.
Shihan Ravikumar Udyavar, chief instructor, KBK, briefed about the karate institute and its existence in Karnataka and said, “The institute started ten years back with the blessings of Laxmivarateertha Swamiji in Udyavar. The institute once named Kubodo Budokan Karate-Do Udupi spread out its branches all over Karnataka. The trainers came forward and took the initiative in spreading the art. And thus the institute was renamed Kubodo Budokan Karate-Do Karnataka. So far the institute has organized nine state level and three national level competitions. We wish to see the art being spread all over India and be renamed once again as Kubodo Budokan Karate-Do India.”
Swamiji blessed the event and wished well to all the participating students and said, “This art form is learnt for self defense and should be learnt by all. This form was learnt by seeing the animals defending themselves by the monks then. Today it has grown up in various aspects. Thousands of youth are joining and learning this art. Girls must take special interests in learning this self defense form to face the present society. When students learn this art form from a tender age, they learn it with ease. Hence lots and lots of young students must join the institute. Let the institute organize many more events in Udupi in the upcoming days.”
MP Shobha Karandlaje said, “The children along with their education must take up such activities that help in physical development. Parents should also see to it that children participate in these activities. Girls must take special initiative in learning self-defense technique such as Karate. The art should be carried forward through such competitions. Karate should help us in protecting ourselves. The co-curricular activities like NCC and Karate training should get more importance in sustaining the discipline in young minds.” She also wished success to all competitors and the organizers.
G Shankar asked the government to provide more facilities in spreading of this art form and promised all the help he could contribute through his trust for the institute.
Vidhyavantha Acharya, principal of Sharadha Residential School, Kunjibettu and Dr Krishna Prasad, Prasad Nethralaya, Udupi were felicitated for their contributions in their respective field.
Shihan B Paramesh, Shihan Ravikumar and Sensei Vishwanatha Kotian were honored as a part of Guruvandhana.
Harsha Baghwath read out the oath. Swamiji gave away the certificates for the eligible black belt winners.
Shihan Santosh Suvarna, organizer and assistant chief instructor of KBK welcomed the dignitaries.
K Raghupathi Bhat, former MLA and the honorable president, organizing committee, K Uday Kumar Shetty, honorary president, welcome committee, Shihan B Paramesh, VII Dan Black Belt, Asian chief instructor, Dr Roshan Kumar Shetty, assistant director, youth empowerment and sports department, Udupi, Yuvaraj, president, city municipal corporations, Sunitha Nayak, president taluk panchayat, Gangadhar Suvarna, businessman, Kaup, Jithendra Shetty, social activist, Udyavar, Vidhyavantha Acharya, principal, Sharadha Residential School, Kunjibettu, Dr Krishna Prasad, Prasad Nethralaya, Udupi, Sensei Vishwanatha Kotian, Udyavar along with all the regional senior instructors were present on the dais.