Manipal: A new game – softball, was introduced on the campus on October 16, being a significant day for Manipal University sports.
Pro Chancellor, Dr H.S. Ballal inaugurated an exhibition match at the Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT) stadium. “We will encourage the game in the University,” he said and hoped that the students would learn the game and popularize it.
The foundation for the game in the university was laid by former India captain Jacob Chandy. He spent two days with a group of enthusiastic boys and a few girls to first explain to them the nuances of the game and then demonstrated it on the ground, Dr Ballal said.
Introducing Jacob, Dr Ballal said, ” Jacob Chandy was honoured with the Maharana Pratap award in the 1986 Pune Nationals for his all-round performance. He has led the Indian team twice, to Japan and the Philippines. He has played in national championships from 1976 to 2002 representing Uttar Pradesh and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited without a break and was even declared the best pitcher at most of these nationals.”
At the Pune Nationals he was declared the best all-round player for 56 strike outs and 11 home runs. With that kind of experience, there can be no better person to introduce softball in our University, Dr Ballal said.
MIT director, Dr Vinod V Thomas who was present at the exhibition match said that after just two days of demonstration and the exhibition match, the students were already excited about the new game in the University. Thus we will definatley encourage the students to play the game, he added.
Director sports, Dr Kemparaj, Dr Shrikanth Rao, Joint Director MIT; Dr Vinod Nayak, Secretary Manipal University Sports Council, Col. CMS Kalakoti, Chief Warden MIT and others were present.
