Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP)

Udupi, Feb 2: The first Dakshina Kannada and Udupi inter-district sports festival of Koraga community will be held by the district administration, district panchayat and the department of youth empowerment and sports at Udupi district sports ground and Beedinagudde grounds from February 5 to 7.

The sports festival and cultural programmes are reserved for the Koraga community. Competitions will be held in groups for boys and girls below 14 years, below 16 years and young boys and girls below 20 years.

Competitions in shot put, long jump, tug of war, volleyball, Kabaddi and cricket for men, throwball, carrom, chess along with a cultural programme for women will be also held.

The art team constituting of a minimum of 10 artists will be awarded prizes. Rs 5,000 will be presented to teams from Udupi taluk, Rs 7,000 to teams from Brahmavar and Kaup and Rs 10,000 for teams from Byndoor, Karkala, Hebri and Dakshina Kannada. A demonstration of stitching the basket will be held. Rs. 2,000 will be presented to each of the participants.

Free food and accommodation will be provided to all the participants. Already over 56 teams have registered for cricket, 35 teams for volleyball and 25 teams for throw ball. More than 3,000 Koraga community sportspersons will take part in the sports festival.

"The sports festival will showcase the diverse art and culture of the Koraga community. It is being arranged at a cost of Rs 15 lac. The sports festival will be a platform for the community members to gather at a place and celebrate. People will be able to relish the unique culture of the community," said sports ground committee president and deputy commissioner G Jagadeesha.