The Karnataka Amateur Athletics Association (KAAA) will organise an awards ceremony to honour the achievements and contributions of State athletes and coaches here on October 28. 

“Representing the country in international events and winning medals is a cause of great pride. And we take immense pleasure in honouring the athletes who deserve consistent encouragement,” said G Parameshwara, President, KAAA at a press conference at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Saturday. 

The association will give away cash awards to State athletes who took part in the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Juniors and Asian Junior Championship. 

Asian Games silver medallist and Commonwealth Games gold medallist discus thrower Vikas Gowda will be presented Rs five lakh while M R Poovamma, who bagged the 4x400M gold and 400M bronze at the Asian Games, will receive Rs three lakh. 

Other athletes who will be honoured include Sahana Kumari (Rs 50000), Ashwini Akkunji (Rs 50000), HM Jyothi (Rs 50,000), Meghana Shetty (Rs 75,000), G K Vijaya Kumari (Rs 75,000) and S Harshith (Rs 25,000). 

The KAAA will also present Rs 10,000 to former athletes and coaches such as Kenneth Powell, DY Biradar, Marjorie Suares, Angel Mary, N Lingappa, C Arivanatham, Purushotham Rai, V R Beedu and former sports administrator CM Muthaiah for their contribution to Karnataka athletics.

Parameshwara also voiced his concerns on the infrastructure at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. 

“The track and the toilets are in poor condition and we request the government to declare a set amount annually to improve the infrastructure,” he said. 

Junior State meet 

The 30th Junior State Inter-district Athletics Championship for boys and girls will be held from November 9 to 12 at the B R Ambedkar District Stadium in Bijapur. 

The meet will be held in four categories – under-20, 18, 16 and 14 — and will serve as trials to pick the State team for the 30th National Junior Athletics Championship at Vijaywada (AP) from November 26-30.Last date for registration is November 1.