Five-day National Athletics meet in Mysore

Mysuru, Nov 12: District in-charge Minister Shobha Karandlaje declared open the five-day 24th National Junior Athletics Meet in Chamundi Vihar Stadium here on Wednesday, Nov 12.

More than 2,000 athletes from 28 States of India are participating in the meet, which got off to a colourful start when District In-charge Minister Shobha Karandlaje and guests released hundreds of multi-coloured balloons. The athletes marched past the stage as the Minister took the salute.

Poovamma, leader of Karnataka team, took the oath of the meet in English on behlaf of the athletes, both boys and girls in the age group of 14 to 20 years.

Addressing the gathering, Shobha Karandlaje said that sports was essential for the development of both body and mind. According to Swami Vivekananda robust people constituted a strong nation. Yoga and sports enabled the individuals to become strong and healthy, she said and wished success to the meet.

She also announced construction of a synthetic track at Chamundi Vihar Stadium.

MLA and Chief Minister's Parliamentary Secretary S.A. Ramdas, speaking on the occasion, suggested grant of sites by Mysore Urban Development Authority to champion athletes at the meet.

Dr. G. Parameshwara, President, Karnataka State Athletics Association, said that facilities for sports in the State were being improved every year. Sports meets such as the one just declared open in Mysore were stepping stones for the young athletes to groom themselves to become future champions at national and world levels, inclu-ding the Olympics.

OneIndia News