Pics by Sphoorty Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Dec 24: Gopal B Hosur, Inspector General of Police, Western Range, termed swimming as a great sport for grooming the mind and the body, a sport which is on par with yoga. He was talking as the Guest of Honour at the inauguration of the Mangalore and Udupi District Level Swimming Competition – 2009 organized by Mangala Swimming Pool, Mangalore recently.
Hosur, who is a swimmer and ardent supporter of the sport, pointed out that swimming plays a major role in the overall development of children. “I feel it should be a compulsory part of the school curriculum so that children are able to learn swimming, which is an important life saving skill”, he pointed out. He also promised that as an ardent swimmer he would resume his regular swimming session at the Mangala pool within a few days.
H R Shetty, President of Pentland Pet Sprots Association, Mangalore who was one of the guests of honour stated that Dakshina Kannada district has always been in the forefront in sports and games. He also promised all possible help from his association for the promotion of swimming as a sport. M C Ramesh, Assistant Directo, Youth Service and Sports Department, Mangalore, Bharati Jagadish Boloor of Yojaka (India) Pvt Limited and G M Gopal Gowda, Assistant Executive Engineer G M Gopal Gowda were the other guests of honour. The function was presided over by the President of Jai Hindi Swimming Club Sudham Mundkur.
Gopal B Hosur and H R Shetty gave away the medals and certificates to the winners of the first swimming event of the competition of the day in both boys and girls category.
Manohar, Secretary of Jai Hind Swimming Club proposed the vote of thanks.
The competition received overwhelming response with more than 160 swimmers from Udupi and Mangalore participating in the competition with enthusiasm. The day long competition had 72 events for boys and girls in various age groups.
Justice K S Hegde Charitable Foundation, Mangalore and Pentland Pet Spots Association, Mangalore were the associate sports of the event. M/s Yojaka (India) Pvt Ltd., Mangalore were the medal and certificate sponsors.