M'lore: Sahana Kumari felicitated

Mangalore, July 10: Ullal girl Sahana Kumari, who has been selected to represent India at the upcoming London Olympics, was felicitated at Gokarnatheshwara College here on Monday.

Ms. Kumari has been selected to represent India in the long jump category in the Games.

Speaking after the felicitation, Ms. Kumari, a student of Gokarnatheshwara College, thanked the College authorities for supporting her right from giving her admission without taking a look at her marks to the cooperation extended by her teachers.

Sports trainer Purushottam Poojary praised Ms. Kumari for her achievements in his address.

Narasimha Murthy, lecturer, sharing his thoughts about Ms. Kumari said that she had achievements at the national level to her credit even when she was a student of the College four years ago. She would wake up at 5 am and sprint from Ullal to Mangala Stadium in Mangalore and practice there. Her sister Harshini Kumari has achieved national level success in High Jump. Her brother Gaurav Kumar has excelled in volleyball. Her parents have encouraged her and her siblings to make it big in sports, he said.

Ms. Kumari's husband Nagaraj is also an international level athlete. He had represented India at the Beijing Olympics in the 100 mts sprint and 400 mts relay competitions. He had also participated in the Commonwealth Games. He has been encouraging Ms. Kumari continuously, Mr. Murthy said.

A total amount of Rs. 50,000 comprising of Rs. 25,000 from the College authorities and Rs. 25,000 from Harish Sherigar of Dubai, an alumnus of the College was presented to Ms. Kumari on the occasion.