Date:15/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/15/stories/2007101571031800.htm

Sport - Sports : General

Dasara Games from today

Myosre: The Dasara Games, about a decade ago, was a popular fixture in the Karnataka sports calendar.

The muti-discipline meet conducted during the Dasara festival here, had several National teams figuring in events such as athletics, basketball and volleyball.

Top athletes used to take part in the games, but over the years, the event has lost its sheen and has become an inter-divisional meet with a carnival ambience.

This year’s State-level Dasara sports meet, conducted jointly by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, Sports Authority of Karnataka and the Dasara Sports Committee, will be a low-key affair with not many big names taking part.

Chitra to inaugurate

The three-day meet, to be held at the Chamundivihar Sports Complex and the University grounds from October 15 to 17, will be inaugurated by World ladies billiards champion, Chitra Magimaraj, on Monday at 10 a.m.

Briefing the media, Amar Kumar Pandey, Commissioner, Youth Services and Sports, Government of Karnataka, said five new events — throwball (women), weightlifting, powerlifting (men and women) and best physique (both height and weight) — have been included in this year’s competitions.

Events will also be held in athletics, basketball, hockey, tennis, besides other sports too.

An all-India open half-marathon for men and women will be held on October 16 with a total cash prize of Rs. 125,000 for both sections.

Around 2000 sportspersons from Mysore, Gulbarga, Belgaum, Bangalore (Rural) and Bangalore (City) will compete for honours. Top athletes who will participate include Poovamma (400m and 100m), Seema Priyadarshini, Sharath Raj, Ambica, Rebeeka, Devaki and Sooji.