Udupi: A State level Pre-University College Floodlight Handball Tournament was inaugurated at the Poornaprajna College grounds here on December 2 under the joint auspices of the Department of Pre-University Education and the college.
The guests of the day were escorted to the ground with college brass band, two horses and students. President of the programme advocate Pradeep Kumar who is also the working president of the organising committee took the guard of honour from the marching past 28 teams from various districts of the state.
In his keynote address, Sridhar Shetty, Coordinator of Sports and Games, Pre University Educational Department lauded the Poornaprajna management for organising the state level tournament. He highlighted some of the achievements of Poornaprajna institutions.
The inaugural programme began with an invocation by PU Students Anwitha, Apoorva, Vaishnavi and Vandana. Fresh fruits were offered to Sri Sri Vishwapriya Swamiji of Admar Matt by Principal Sandeep Kumar. R B Nayak, Deputy Director of Pre-University Education welcomed the gathering. Sri Sri Vishwapriya Theertha Swamiji inaugurated the tournament by lighting the lamp followed by releasing of balloons into the air.
Dr. Kishore Kumar C K hoisted the Olympic flag. Entrepreneur Gurme Suresh Shetty hoisted the Pre-University flag and Sandeep Kumar the college flag.
In his inaugural address, Sri Sri Vishwapriyatheertha Swamiji said in various competitions winning and losing would be common. “We should not be disappointed when we lose. Loosing is a stepping stone to winning”, he added.
Gurme Suresh Shetty and Dr. Kishore Kumar C K also spoke on the occasion. Advocate Pradeep Kumar gave his presiding address and said the government should encourage the sportsmen for sports to grow in India.
Hariyappa Kotian, Dr. Jagadish Shetty, Yashpal Suvarna, Geetha Shet, Sharath Rao and others were present on the dais.
In all, 54 teams from 28 districts and around 800 students participated in the tournament. State level winners will get a chance to participate in national level tournament as usual. Sathish Shetty Chithrapadi compered the programme.
