Mangalore: National level Open Karate Championship Inaugurated  
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (RS/SB)  

Mangalore, Oct 3: Two-day National level Open Karate Championship - 2009 organized by Dakshina Kannada Karate Federation (DKKF) was inaugurated at Nehru Maidan here on Saturday October 3. The tournament will conclude on Sunday October 4. Mayor Shankar Bhat inaugurated the tournament. 

Speaking on the occasion he said that the Mangalore City Corporation has given its full support to all types of sports and games. He expressed his wish to witness more number of athletes and the sports personalitiesd come up from the city so that the region becomes known for sports and games too as it is now known for education.     

Chief guest district in-charge minister Krishna Palemar said that with national level tournaments being held in the city, the sports personalities of this district will be able to enjoy a high-spirited competition. The state government is thus encouraging sports and games in order to produce talent from the state, who will represent state at national level and the country at international level, he added.        
Mangalore South MLA N Yogish Bhat, A Sandananda Shetty, President of DKFF, Jayaram Bhat, managing director, Karnataka Bank, A G Pai, chief executive officer, Mangalore Special Economic Zone, entrepreneurs A J Shetty and Pade Ajith Rai among others were present.        

The tournament will be in 13 styles that includes Indian marshal art, Bodocon, Goshen Ryu and Shoute Ryu among others. The tournament will be held under World Karate Federation (WKF) rules. Over 750 participants have registered from all over India including states, Orissa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamilnadu among others.