Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal

Bantwal, Jan 19: The Koti Chennaya Kreedotsava (sports festival) for Billava community members was inaugurated on Sunday, January 19, at the S V S Sports Ground in Bhandaribettu, Bantwal.

The event was launched by former union minister and senior leader B Janardhana Poojary, with the collaboration of the Billava Samaja Seva Sangha, Koti Chennaya Kreedotsava Committee, Yuvavahini Bantwal unit, and the Billava Women's Committee.

Poojary delivered an inspiring speech, encouraging athletes and wishing for the festival to bring out new talents.

The event was presided over by B Sanjeeva Poojary, president of the Billava Samaja Seva Sangh, who spoke about the goals of the sports festival. MLC B K Hariprasad highlighted the importance of promoting sportsmanship beyond caste and religion.

The sports torch was handed over by Harikrishna Bantwal, president of the Padumale Koti Chennaya Birthplace Movement Committee. Bantwal DySP S Vijayprasad hoisted the event flag.

Among the distinguished guests were H S Sai Ram, president of Kudroli Shri Gokarnanath Temple, Suryakant J Suvarna, president of Bharat Cooperative Bank, Veda Kumar, president of Billava Association Bengaluru, Padmaraj R, treasurer of Kudroli Shri Gokarnanath Temple, former MLA A Rukkmayya Poojary, Bantwal Municipal president B Vasu Poojary Loreto, Bengaluru police officer Shantharam Kunder, B N Shankar Poojary, president of Udupi’s Katpadi Shri Vishwanath Temple, businessman Sunith Kishan, Best Foundation president Rakshit Shivaram, Mangaluru Deputy Superintendent of Police Gayathri M Shivakumar, Yuvavahini Central Committee vice-president Vidya Rakesh, Yakshagana artiste Sitaram Kumar Kateel, senior advocate T Narayana Poojary, and others.

The event was welcomed by Baby Kunder, and Yuvavahini president Dinesh Suvarna Rai conducted the proceedings.