Mangaluru set for national athletics show in May

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Feb 23, 2015  : This historical  coastal city  of Karnataka is gearing up to host the Federation Cup National Senior Championships from May 1 to May 4 .

 

 

 

About  700 plus athletes from all the country’s   States and sports boards are expected to participate in as many as 47 events of the meet.  The event assumes special significance as athletes’ performance here would be considered for their selection for the Asian Athletics Championships to be held in Wuhan, China, from June 3 to June 7 and for the World Athletics Championships scheduled between August 22 and August 30 at Beijing, China.

Athletics Federation of India President Adille Sumariwalla held a meeting with the Karnataka and the Dakshina Kannada Athletics Associations, people’s representatives and district officials here on Feb 22, Sunday. He stated to media  that the federation wanted to offer the best facilities to athletes at this games meet .

Sumariwalla said that the federation would soon depute different teams, technical as well as general, to check the preparations for the event. They would coordinate with local organisers and offer suggestions for improvement. Involvement of different governments, including tourism, health, transport, city corporation, district administration, is necessary for the success of the event, he said.

Karnataka Athletics Association President and State Congress President G. Parameshwara said that the associations and the government would provide all the required facilities. Various committees would be formed to execute different tasks.  Parameshwara said the State association would urge Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to release special grants for the event.

Karnataka Minister of State for Youth Empowerment and Sports K. Abhayachandra Jain said that the department would immediately take up improvement works at Mangala Stadium, the event venue.

Athletics Federation of India President Adille Sumariwalla on Sunday said Mangaluru has all the facilities to host a national sports event like the Federation Cup National Senior Championships.The Federation Cup National Senior Championships in Mangaluru, would help to improve the city’s athletics infrastructure, felt various stakeholders of the event.   Speaking at a preparatory meeting for the event, Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim said the city has all the facilities to host the event and is well connected by road, rail and air. He said 70 days are enough to make all arrangements for the event.

However, Mayor Mahabala Marla pointed out that the event venue, Mangala Stadium, lacked basic amenities. The event is said to be an evening one, however floodlights in the stadium are not working. At the same time, the workout area is not properly done.   There is also acute lack of toilet facilities in the stadium, he said. The practice track too is not good, he said. However, Mayor  Marla said all the stakeholders could make the event a success by working together.