Governor cajoles youngsters to engage more in sports to learn teamwork and cooperation

Governor cajoles youngsters to engage more in sports to learn teamwork and cooperation

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, January 24, 2025: Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Thursday, January 23, said participation in sports instils teamwork and cooperation among participants even as it enhances concentration, discipline and equality among them.

Speaking at the valedictory function of Karnataka State Games-2025 at Udupi, Mr. Gehlot said sports play proactive role in keeping one’s body and mind active by reducing pressure and anxiety. Moreover, it aids the decision making power of a person, he added. The Governor said sports should be made a part of everyday life thus contributing overall development of the personality of an individual.

Mr. Gehlot said the central government has been supporting sports in a big way through various schemes. Kehlo India initiative has attracted thousands of youngsters towards sports and recognised many. Karnataka government too has been supporting sports by offering support and incentives, including cash incentives and reservation in jobs, the Governor said.

Home Minister G. Parameshwara said there is a misnomer among many that participation in sports obstructs academic activities of students. “It is a myth,” Mr. Parameshwara said giving his own example. “Despite participating in various sports events, I have done good in academics too,” he said. He urged he Karnataka Olympics Association to choose Tumakuru, his home district, to host the next State Games. “We have built a beautiful stadium at a cost of ₹58 crore and have all the facilities to organise the event,” he said.

Olympics Association president K. Govindaraju said sports transcends the boundaries of caste, religion, and politics. The only caste or religion is sports, he said. It also keeps various vices, including drug abuse, at bay and moulds a healthy personality, he said. Karnataka is the first state in India to reserve 3% of posts in police and Forest Departments for achievers in sports. He urged the government to make sports compulsory in pre-university course as the same was missing from the curriculuam.

Mr. Govindaraju complimented the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district administrations, the Sports and Youth Services Department, and other stakeholders, for conducting the State Games 2025 successfully from January 17.Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna demanded a full-fledged cricket stadium for the district. Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary, MLAs and MLCs from the twin districts, department secretary D. Randeep, Commissioner R. Chetan, Deputy Commissioners of DK and Udupi M.P. Mullai Muhilan, K. Vidyakumari, Manipal Academy of Higher Education Pro-Chancellor, Vice Chancellor H.S. Ballal and M.D. Venkatesh, and others were present.

Zafar Khan from Belagavi district, who scored 1,016 points was declared the best man athlete, while Niollo Anna Cornelio from Bengaluru with 1,005 points was declared the best women athlete in the State Games.