Logo of Nitte Mangaluru Half Marathon released

Nitte University, in association with Dakshina Kannada Athletics Association, is all set to organise Nitte Mangaluru Half Marathon and 10K Marathon for the fifth year.

The official logo and poster for the marathon was launched here recently. The marathon will be flagged  off at Mangala stadium on February 19.

Deputy Commissioner Dr K G Jagadeesha said the promotion of sports is a noble cause because sports help in building a healthy society.

“Marathon has been gaining popularity in India as it gives runners a sense of achievement,” Jagadeesha said.

University Chancellor N Vinay Hegde said sports help one to maintain good health, but sadly there has been a decline in interest towards sports. He said the onus is on education institutions to ensure that sport is promoted among children.

Sridhar Alva, a sports ambassador for Nitte Mangaluru Marathon, said the situation can be improved if the administration provides better facilities for budding sportspersons.

He said there has been no significant improvement in sports infrastructure in Mangaluru in the past two decades. Alva called upon parents to encourage their wards to take up sports.

Vice Chancellor Vishal Hegde, Karnataka Amateur Athletics Association secretary Chandrashekhar Rai, Dakshina Kannada district Athletics Association president Dr Manjunath Bhandary and Nitte Marathon ambassador Anil Shetty were also present.