Dharwad: Mega procession, colourful display of folkarts, bursting of crackers, gathering of innumerable sports lovers marked the opening of State Olympics meet-2017 at district stadium here on Friday evening.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who announced his dream plan to see the Karnataka atheletes at International Olympics meet, declared the game open amidst cheers from sports lovers.
The district stadium was full with people and students.
Speaking on the occasion CM Siddaramaiah directed State Olympics authorities to hold State Olympics meet in different parts of the state once in every two year for which he assured the government would release necessary funds.
He promised to announce more grants for sports activities in the next budget.
Responding to the plea of district in-charge minister to have a “Garadi mane” for training wrestlers and a sports complex comprising all facilities for sportspersons in the district, CM gave his nod. While asking sportspersons of the state to aim for the next Tokyo Olympics CM announced to give Rs 5 Crore cash per Olympics gold won by a sportsperson from the state, followed by Rs 3 Crore for silver medal and Rs 2 Crore for bronze medal besides providing them a government job.
After that CM spent some time watching colourful display of folkarts in the stadium. Later, he moved to Anjuman-E-Islam, Dharwad to lay the foundation stone for a commercial complex.
Ministers Vinay Kulkarni, U T Khader, Pramod Madhwaraj and MLA Aravind Bellad also spoke.
Minister Basavaraj Rayareddy, President of Karnataka State Olympics Association K Govindraj, Umashri, public representatives and officials were present.
Wrestler Rafiq Holi and others brought the Olympic torch amidst applause from the audience. Pigeons and balloons were let free as a mark of opening the game amid bursting of crackers. Participants displayed the march past, in the backdrop of police band.
