All India Inter University Athletic Championship begins at Moodbidri

Mangalore, December 18: The 72nd All India Inter University Athletic Championship which is organised for the first time in Dakshina Kannada, began with a colourful note at Swarajya Maidan in Moodbidri on Saturday evening.

Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) which was shouldered with the responsibility of organising the five days event, arranged the inaugural programme differently with the assistance of Alva's Education Foundation, Moodbidri, which became the perfect host for the event. RGUHS Vice Chancellor Dr Sriprakash who inaugurated the event by flying colourful balloons, in his inaugural address asked the students to give equal priority to academics and extra-curricular activities.

“Your life can be be wonderful if you give equal significance to academics and sports. In the changing era, sports activities are given more attention than earlier and it would help for the overall personality development,” he said. He also asked the athletes who participate in the championship to make the best use of the opportunity and take home the spirit of participation. “Carry a sportive message to your mates back at your colleges,” he said.

Though the qualifying round events began on Saturday morning itself, the sports event was officially inaugurated in the evening. The sports torch of the 72nd athletic championship which was lit at Hanuman temple in the town was brought to Swaraj Maidan in a colouful procession. The national and international-level athletes from the district including Commonwealth medallist M V Poovamma, Jamaluddin, Basavraj Horatti and Joylin Lobo carried the torch to the venue. The procession was attractive, representing the culture and tradition of the land. Veeragase, Keelu Kudure, lambani, Huli Vesha, Chende and other artistes lead the procession. On reaching the ground, athlete K S Ashok handed over the the torch to Arjuna awardee K M Binu.

It was followed by a marchpast by the athletes from 151 universities across the nation. The previous year's overall champion Calicut University led the march past event. Highest number of universities from Tamil Nadu (21) and Andhra Pradesh (20) are taking part in the athletic meet. Over 2,500 athletes would take part in the meet. Kathy Vakaria, a student of Bangalore Medical College who is the record holder in Pole Vault at All India Inter University Meet took the oath on behalf of the participants.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLA K Abhayachandra Jain, MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik, Alva's Education Foundation Chairman Dr Mohan Alva and others were present.

Results

The day one of the sports meet witnessed qualifying events for the semi finals and finals which would be held in the next four days. Supreeth Raj from Mangalore University (student of SDM BBM College) has qualified for the finals in the High Jump category.

Youth Common Wealth Games Medallist Rebecca Jose from Bangalore University, B S Shubha from Mangalore University and Priyanka Kalagi from Dharwad University have qualified for semifinals in 100 meters race.

However, the athletes from Calicut University and Kerala University topped the qualifying list.