M'lore to host natl masters athletic meet from Feb 6

India Masters Athletics, in association with Dakshina Kannada Masters Athletics, will organise 34th Masters National Athletic Championship both for men and women who are in the age group of 30 years to 85 years and above, at Mangala Stadium here, from February 6 to 9. 

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, India Masters Athletics General Secretary Gerald D’ Souza said that in the championship, 360 events will be held for 24 age groups. 

The athletes from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarath, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Delhi, Chandighar, Uttar Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Jharkand, Uttarakand, Himachal Pradesh and Assam will be participating in the event. 

About 1,500 athletes have registered their names already and it would reach 2,000 by January 26, which is the last date for registration, he said. 

Dakshina Kannada Masters Athletics Honourary President Thejomaya said that the total expenditure of the event would reach upto Rs 35 lakh. 

“We will provide free food for the athletes. For accommodation, around 4,000 rooms have been booked at nearby hotels. Those who want to stay in rooms of their own choice; they would get it in concision rate. We have invited Union Ministers M Veerappa Moily, Oscar Fernandes and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. A march past will be organised from UGC Maidan near Urva Market to Mangala Stadium on February 6, at 7 am,” he said. 

The last Masters National Athletic Championship was held at Trivandrum and Maharasthra had won the overall championship. Dakshina Kannada Masters Athletics President K S Kodanda Rame Gowda, General Secretary J Anand Soans were also present.