Mangalore, Feb 6, 2014: The 34th National Masters Athletics Championship 2014 got off to a colourful start at the Mangala Stadium here on February 6, Thursday. B Ramanatha Rai, DK District in-charge Minister and State minister for Forest and Ecology inaugurated the championship which is jointly organised by the Dakshina Kannada Masters Athletics Association and Karnataka Masters Athletics Association.
The participant athletes numbering over 1400 from 22 states presented an attractive march. A Sri Lankan team comprising eight master athletes is also participating in the championship.
Prominent among the dignitaries present on the occasion were A.B.Ibrahim, Deputy Commissioner, T.O.Jacob, President of Indian Masters Athletics Association, Rohith Kumar, former athlete of international repute. KS Kodanda Rame Gowda, President of DK District Masters Athletics Association and Parshwanath, Deputy Director of District Youth Services and Sports Department.
Harsha Moily, businessman, Gerald D’Souza, Secretary of Indian Masters Athletics Association, K Tejomaya, Organising Committee Chairman and others were present.
Prior to the inaugural, the athletes participated in a procession from UGC Ground, Urva to Mangala Stadium, the venue of the championship.