Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SR/SB)
Mangalore Jul 24: The Dakshina Kannada Football Association (DKFA) organized 14th Independence Cup was inaugurated at the Nehru Maidan football grouds here on Saturday July 24.
Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) mayor Rajini Dugganna inaugurated the tourney.
Speaking on the occasion, mayor Dugganna said that sporting activities should be encouraged on the lines of DKFA's initiative. Students lack sportsmanship in the present era and this should not be given a boost.
DKFA chairman D M Aslam said that the tournament is the most sought-after by the education institutions with the school and college teams in the district especially preparing themselves for the tourney. The matches will go on till Independence Day on August 15. Over 10,000 students from all over the district will participate in the tournament with eight teams playing the matches everyday, he said.
Aslam said women football scene too is encouraging in the district with 10 girls' team participating in the tourney. Separate matches for school and college level students and for men and women will be held. In all 23 higher primary school, 41 from high school, 28 from pre-university and 53 from graduation level will participate in the tourney. Stating that the tournament is a historical event, Aslam added that more media coverage should be given to such sporting events to create interest in football among students of the country. Antony a national-level referee for football matches has taken the initiative to be the referee of the Independence Cup tournament, he said.
The association is marking 38 years of its registration with the State Football Association. Right from the start, it has been engaged in introducing more players. This year the total participating teams in the tournament is gone up by 25 teams. The association started its first match with 25 teams, a good 13 years ago.
Deputy general manager of Corporation Bank N R Shet presided. Corporator and chairman accounts committee MCC Divakar, director of AK Boards and Doors A K Niyaz were among the other guests for the event.