Mysore, Sep 23 (SOM) : Nearly 1,500 sports persons, who have bagged first and second places at the District-level sports, are participating in the three-day State-level Dasara Sports meet which began at Chamundi Vihar Stadium today.

The event was inaugurated by Arjuna-awardee Ashok Kumar Dhyanchand at a colourful ceremony by releasing pigeons.

The sports torch was brought from atop the Chamundi Hill by National Sportspersons from State K. Akshata and Ashok Kumar and lit at the stadium.

This was followed by a colourful march-past by teams from Bangalore, Belgaum, Mysore, Gulbarga and students of Physical Education, University of Mysore.

Addressing the sports persons, Ashok Kumar Dhyanchand observed that effort and good practice always helps sportsper-sons to excel. The government was offering better benefits for sportspersons. They should be utilised properly to excel at national and international levels, he advised.

District in-charge Minister Shobha Karandlaje felicitated sportspersons Akshata, Ashok Kumar, Nirupama Sundarraj, Rebeta Jose, Abhishek Sanjay Pavanraj, Nityashree, Shivangi Na-yak and Rohit Urs on the occasion.

Minister for Sports and Youth Services Gulihatti Shekhar, MLC Siddaraju, Deputy Commissioner P. Manivannan, Karnataka Exhibition Authority Chairman B.P. Manjunath, Director of Sports and Youth Services Shivananjaiah and others were present.

The Sports Minister announ-ced that an international-level Swimming Pool will be constructed in city. Eight synthetic tracks will come up in the State for athletics including one in city, he said.

A scheme was also on to introduce synthetic turf for playing hockey. The Chamundi Vihar Indoor Stadium will be renovated at a cost of about Rs. 50 lakh, the Minister said.

The event features athletics, basketball, badminton, handball, hockey, gymnastics, table tennis, volleyball, kho-kho, kabaddi, throwball, body-building, weightlifting, football, lawn tennis and swimming.

An exclusive athletics has also been arranged for persons above 50 years.

Hockey (women), football and badminton will be played at Mysore University Sports Pavilion while swimming competitions will be held at the University Swimming Pool. Rest of the events will be held at Chamundi Vihar Stadium.

Half-marathon: A half-marathon covering 21 km will be organised tomorrow at 8 am starting from Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple in front of Palace.

The route will be through Hardinge Circle, Corporation Office, K.R. Circle, Ayurveda College Circle, Highway Circle, Millennium Circle, Tollgate, Srirangapatna Bus Stand before culminating near Ranganathaswamy Temple there.