Mysuru: Here is good news for sportspersons! The long pending demand to recognise state level Dasara sports yielded results as Sports Minister Pramod Madhwaraj announced that the same would be done from this year and a government order in this regard will be released at the earliest.
More than five decades old state level Dasara sports which was just festival sports whose certificate did not have any value or recognition got its much needed due. Pramod Madhwaraj, speaking after inaugurating the four-day state level Dasara sports said, “Last year, during the Dasara sports inauguration, participants told me that the state level Dasara sports was not recognised and hence requested me to give it a fillip. As per my word then, today I am here to announce that the annual state level Dasara sports which were held as a festival event will be recognised event and the certificate will have the much needed value. In this regard, we will communicate to all the associations and federations. To those who secure gold, silver and bronze during this state level Dasara sports meet, the state government will be awarding a cash prize of Rs 25000, Rs 15000 and Rs 10000 respectively. Apart from this, they will also be considered for annual cash award presented by the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports for outstanding performance. Now with the much needed recognition given to the sport, I request all the participants to go all out in their efforts and give their best in their respective sporting events.”
He also mentioned that those who secure medals in the Dasara sports meet will also be considered for talent hunt of 1000 outstanding sportspersons who will be provided all sorts of help from central, state and through CSR fund. On the occasion, he also mentioned that the government had announced Rs 25 Lakh each to Veda Krishnamurthy and Rajeshwari Gayakwad who played well during the recently concluded women’s cricket world cup where India emerged as runners. The government also announced a cash award of Rs 10 Lakh to international chess player Thej Kumar who became the first Grandmaster from Karnataka.
National athlete Reena George who took oath on behalf of all the participants thanked the government for recognising state level Dasara sports. “It was a long pending demand by many sports persons including athletes. We are very happy with the decision of the government and with this recognition, in days to come, we can not only see more number of participants but there will also be more competition.”
Ekalavya awardee Anthony Moses who had won Dasara Shree award during the state level Dasara bodybuilding competition said, “I am overwhelmed with the minister’s decision. Definitely in days to come, more participants will eye for Dasara competition and the certificate will also help the sports persons to get a job in government sector.” It’s the same with Lohith, who is working as Physical Education Director in Government First Grade College. He said, “When I used to go for Dasara sports, my parents discourage me saying it had no value. Now with this recognition, they can’t speak like that, thanks to the government.”
On the occasion, Veda Krisnamurthy, Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Thej Kumar wished the participants and called upon them to make use of the opportunity to the maximum extent. S P Ravi Channavar who got overwhelming applause when he started to speak mentioned that it was in sports and art that there was no discrimination of caste, creed or any religion. He said that it was here that talent had got value irrespective of everything. Anupam Agarwal, Director of DYES and G Somashekar, President, Dasara Sports Committee were also present. On the occasion, Veda, Rajeshwari and Thej were honoured.
More than 2500 participants from all the districts, who are merged in five different divisions Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Belgaum and Kalburgi will be seen in action from Friday to Sunday.
