Mangalore : The 18th Independence Cup Football tournament organised by the DK District Football Association commenced at the Nehru Maidan in the city on Wednesday July 30. The event will be held upto August 15. Mayor Mahabala Maarla declared open the tournament by kicking the football.
Speaking on the occasion, the Mayor appreciated the activities of the Association and said the fact that the DK is a district level champion in football is testimony to the hard works put in by the Association in encouraging the sport.
He also hinted at the plans of the Mangalore City Corporation to encourage several sports.
Asha Timmappa, Zilla Panchayat President who was the chief guest, said students must take active part in sports along with academic activities. The ZP meet too would discuss ways and means through which sports gets good encouragement in the district, she further added.
Mayor Mahabala Maarla was felicitated on the occasion on behalf of the Association. D.M. Aslam, President of DK District Football Association, Abdul Latif, Naveenchandra, Diwaker, Corporators, Prof. P.C.M. Kunhi and others were present
A total of 214 teams have registered for the 17-day long tournament which will conclude on Independence Day.