News & Pics: Shekar Ajekar
Daijiworld Media Network – Moodbidri (RD/SB)

Moodbidri, Feb 4: All India inter-varsity men’s ball badminton tournament was inaugurated at Swarajya maidan here on Wednesday February 3.
 
Karnataka’s first Ekalavya Award winner ball badminton player Mohammed Ilyas inaugurated the tournament. The five-day tournament was hosted in association with Mangalore University (MU) and Alva’s Education Foundation, here.
 

In his presidential address, MLA K Abayachandra Jain said that the ball badminton game which was much popular a decade ago needs to be revived to its former glory. He recalled that his late father M K Anantaraj represented Benares University in ball badminton tourney around six decades ago and won the championship. The game has received significant patronization in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district, he added.
 
He called on the physical education teachers of various colleges under MU and veteran ball badminton players of undivided DK to extend services through training the budding players.
 
MU acting vice-chancellor professor K K Achar was the chief guest and MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik was the guest of honour.

Alva’s Education Foundation chairman Dr M Mohan Alva welcomed the gathering.  MU physical education director Dr H Nagalingappa proposed the vote of thanks. Lecturer Deepa Kottary compered the programme.