Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB/MS)

Udupi, Oct 9: The boys' under-14 table tennis team of the district emerged winners in the state level three-day TT tournament 2018-19, organized by Milagres English
Medium School, Kallianpur.

The valedictory function of the tournament was held at Tricentennial hall, Milagres on Monday October 8.

Addressing the occasion, former MLA Pramod Madhwaraj said, "One day when I went to NISE Patiala for the first time after I became the Youth Empowerment and Sports minister, I saw a 10-year-old boy beat a 22-year-old guy in a TT match. It was amazing. There is no age barrier to achieve something. We are selecting top 1000 sports persons through the Dasara sports meet. Out of the 1000, 75% will be compulsorily 19-years-old or below and remaining 25% will be above 19-years of age. If a child gets sports training at his/her tender age, definitely he/she will do great achievement."

Appreciating the arrangements at Milagres, Pramod said, "We people have experienced the hospitality at Milagres. A dedicated sports person must spend one third of his or her time for training to excel in their favourite event. Only then he or she will be able to do wonders in the field."

Convener of Milagres group of institutions, Fr Dr Lawrence D'Souza said, "When it comes to any tournament, the participation in itself is a reward. I thank all those who have supported the success of this TT tournament. Let us hope to organise more tournaments in the coming days. One should have a goal and work hard toward achieving that goal. Effort, hard work and discipline are also important. Only then an athlete can achieve at national level."

Former president of taluk panchayat, Veronica Cornelio also spoke on the occasion and said, "Sports is a part of life. Participating at state level is an achievement by itself. There are lots of opportunities ahead for sportsmen and sportswomen."

Fr Lancy Fernandes, headmaster of Milagres English Medium School congratulated all the winners, participants and wholeheartedly thanked the supporters, who made the event a success.

All the winning teams received attractive trophies along with cash prizes and certificates.

Anarghya Manjunath, a top level player at national table Tennis for under-17, was felicitated on the occasion for her remarkable achievements in the field of TT. Anarghya is studying in ninth standard in Bangalore International Academy English Medium High School. She is the daughter of Manjunath and Archana.

Speaking to media persons Anarghya said, "I am very happy with the hospitality at Milagres and I feel good having come to Udupi. There is need to work hard for achieving anything. I used to practice three hours a day and also do fitness training. I wish to complete my SSLC with good marks and later decide my future career plan. I was ranked second in Karnataka Under-15 age category. I am good at studies also and get more than 80% marks. Till the month of December the itinerary of matches is fixed and I will be busy with it along with my studies. One of my neighbours inspired me to play at national level. From second standard I started playing table tennis. My parents support me a lot. I am taking training from Bona Thomas and Sagai Raj."

The guests of the event distributed the prizes. Around 600 students participated in the three-day event.

Madhukar S, district physical education department supervisor, Rtn Brian D'Souza, president Rotary Club, Dr Nery Cornelio, vice-president of Milagres church parent board, Kallianpur, Jyothika, Dattatreya, Sudarshan Nayak, Vincent, PET Millagres, Veers D'Silva, headmistress of Milagres primary school and Vinay Shet, physical education teacher were present.

This event was jointly organized by primary and high school students, Udupi zilla panchayat, district administration, public education department, deputy director office and sectoral education officers, Brahmavar zone, local NGOs and other organizations.

The results of the tournament:

Under-14 boys

I place: Udupi
II place: Sirsi
III place: Mysuru
IV place: Chikkamagalur

Under-14 girls

I place: Bengaluru North
II place: Bengaluru South
III place: Belagavi
IV place: Ballary

Under-17 boys

I place: Bengaluru South
II place: Udupi
III place: Mysuru
IV place: Chikkamagalur

Under-17 girls

I place: Bengaluru South
II place: Bengaluru North
III place: Udupi
IV place: Bagalkot

20 students from four teams of different parts of various districts were selected for the national event based on their performance. Their names are as follows:

Under-14 boys

1. Piyush Uday Jadav - seventh std - Sirsi
2. Jeroham Lloyd Maben - eighth std - Udupi
3. Aditya G Kotian - seventh std - Udupi
4. Kishan - seventh std - Udupi
5. Manjunath Ashok - seventh std - Sirsi

Under-14 age girls

1. Trupti Praveen Purohit - seventh std - Bengaluru
2. Bhoomika - eighth std - Bengaluru
3. Theertha A - seventh std - Bengaluru
4. Shreya Ravi Kumar - seventh std - Bengaluru
5. Harshini R Havanur - sixth std - Bengaluru

Under-17 age boys

1. Srikanth Kashyap - eighth std - Bengaluru
2. Sujan R Bharadhwaj - eighth std - Bengaluru
3. Aakash K J - eighth std - Bengaluru
4. Sanman Shashidhara Malpe - ninth std - Udupi
5. Vian Thomas - eigth std - Udupi

Under-17 girls

1. Anarghya Manjunath - 9th std - Bengaluru South
2. Adithi P Joshi - 10th std - Bengaluru North
3. Drishti S More - 10th std - Bengaluru
4. Kalyani D - 10th std - Bengaluru
5. Ananya H P - 10th std - Bengaluru