MOODBIDRI: The next Khelo India, a programme introduced to revive the sports culture in India at the grass-roots level by building a strong framework for all sports played, will be held in Karnataka, said Narayana Gowda, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs.
Inaugurating the 81st All India Inter-University Athletics Championship at Swaraj Maidan, Moodbidri on Tuesday, he said the government is committed towards promoting sports in Karnataka. ``In all the departments, 2% of jobs will be reserved for sportspersons and will get 50% of reservation in the departments related to sports, he said.
He said as many as 75 sports students are being groomed in the state to take part in the next Olympics.
Prof P S Yadapadithaya, Vice Chancellor, Mangalore University presided over the inaugural programme. Umanatha A Kotian, Mulki-Moodbidri MLA received the torch.
V Sunil Kumar, Minister for Energy, Kannada and Culture flagged off the sports and cultural march past. Olympian M R Poovamma was felicitated on the occasion.
Adesh Yadav, Arif Ali and Ram Vinod Yadav who created new records in the 10,000 metre long-distance track running event were presented with cash prizes of Rs 25,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively. Alva’s Education Foundation, Moodbidri sponsored the cash prize.
The procession took place as part of 81st All India Inter-University Athletics drew a huge crowd and over 150 troupes representing diverse cultures of India participated in the event.
Three meet records in single event
In an impressive record of performance, three athletes shattered the previous records in a single event.
The 81st All India Inter-University Athletics Meet which began on a positive note at Swarajya Maidan on Tuesday, created new meet records in the 10000m race.
Adesh Yadav of Mangalore University who is studying BSc in Alva’s College, clocked 29:15.46 sec bettering the previous record of Narendra Prathap Singh by 26.73 sec.
Arif Ali of Jananayak Chandrashekhar University, Uttar Pradesh who came second on the track clocked 29:18.82 sec., Ram Vinod Yadav of Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University; Jaunpur finished the line in 29:27.45 sec.
