Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (LDS)
Mangaluru, Jun 2: The State Level Shuttle Badminton Tournament was inaugurated on Thursday June 2 at Father Muller Medical College here.
The event is organized by Father Muller Medical College. The inaugural event was graced by the presence of several dignitaries such as M R Ravi Kumar, IAS, registrar, RGUHS, Karnataka, Ashok Poovaiah, former national and Karnataka State Badminton Champion president, Dakshina Kannada Badminton Association, Sharan J Shetty, reader, AJ Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangaluru and senate members, RGUHS and Dr T Vasanta Shetty, the director of Father Muller Charitable Institutions, Fr Richard Coelho and others.
Students from across the state had gathered to take part in the event. The event comprised of a formal welcome followed by other programmes. The dignitaries lighted the lamp and unveiled the symbol of victory, the magnificent trophies.
The chief guest, M R Ravi Kumar, IAS delivered the address. He spoke about the reputed RGHUS, which comprised of 1,400 institutions under it. He also admired Father Muller institution. He lauded the institution on having hosted the event. He addressed the students with his words of encouragement. He hinted that the very essence of participation would bring great joy to the institution. He highlighted that sports and extra-curricular activities aid the physical and mental wellbeing thereby helping the students in their studies as well. He indicated that this event was a big opportunity to the students, which would enable them to acquire valuable skills such as leadership qualities, captaincy etc which would be required to survive in life.
In a motivating tone he said that efforts, practice and ones performance at the particular instance during the game would matter the most. The students paid rapt attention to his encouraging and motivating words.
Speaking on the occasion, the guest of honour, Ashok Poovaiah, said that the sport of badminton might go ahead to become the national game of India in the near future. He told that he has always admired the Rajiv Gandhi University. He congratulated the institution for inviting him and wished the best to all the students.
Guest of honour, Dr Sharan J Shetty spoke to the students on motivation and never giving up. On an inspiring note, he said that one never loses; either they win or learn. He asked the students not to get disheartened by defeat as they had to come back stronger year.
Later on, the director honoured the guests on the dais by presenting mementos. Fr Richard Coelho delivered a brief presidential address. He said that hard work, discipline, physical fitness and self-confidence were vital to excel in sports and other fields and advised the students to not lose hope.
The programme ended with the national anthem. A formal photo session with the dignitaries and participants followed afterwards. Later on, the students and spectators watched the dignitaries demonstrating some of their badminton skills at the badminton court.