Mangaluru: The Mayor’s Cup 2016 volleyball tournament drew in more participants than it did in the past three years. As many as 28 teams joined in from various pre-university colleges and high schools to compete for the grand cup.
In the men’s category, 10 high school teams and seven PU college teams took part while in the ladies’ category, seven high school teams and four PU college teams participated. Participants from colleges in Bantwal, Ujire and Mijar were present along with several Mangalorean teams.
At the inauguration of the tournament on Sunday, October 16, the participants lined up with their teams at 10.30 AM to listen to the Mayor of Mangaluru City Corporation Harinath and MLA J R Lobo speak. Mayor Harinath addressed the volleyball enthusiasts and congratulated all the teams for participating.
One of the city’s sportsmen who dedicated his life for development of various sports, Pradeep D’Souza was honoured on the occasion by J R Lobo and Harinath. After receiving the honours, Pradeep spoke to the gathering of participants and referees. He said, “I am enthralled to see so many volleyball enthusiasts competing in the Mayor’s Cup. This event will be held every year, but I want to see many more volleyball tournaments happening throughout the year and witness more participants in each competition.”
While addressing the gathering about how important it is to play atleast one sport, J R Lobo said, “It is indeed good to see so many youngsters battling for the prize instead of spending their time on social media sites and going mall hopping. Encouragement should be given to the present generation to take up the sport that they are good at to see skill and fitness go hand in hand.”
In order to mark the inauguration of the Mayor’s Cup, the dignitaries released helium balloons into the sky and served few rounds of volleyball themselves.
