JOIN USMeeting all expectations, women’s 4x 100 metre relay team comprising Meghana Shetty, Varsha R Poojary, Priyanka and Padmini won gold on the final day of 19th Federation Cup here on Monday.
Speaking to reporters after the much expected win, ‘Mangaluru girl’ Varsha R Poojary said it was delightful moment to win gold in the home ground. There was expectation from us and we felt that pressure.
However, two and half weeks of practice ended in fruitful result. “The crowd was beautiful. Their claps whenever they heard the name of Karnataka was good to hear. We rarely get this kind of encouragement outside. It is a team effort. Priyanka, Padmini and Meghana have won in hurdles, 200 metre and 100 metres as well,” she said.
Varsha’s father Rohit Poojary opined that Mangaluru needs more coaches. At present there is only one coach for 150 students. There is a need of at least two to three coaches, he said. Team Army and Tamil Nadu bagged overall championships in the 19th Federation Cup, National Seniors Athletic Championship-2015, a five-day event which concluded at Mangala Stadium here on Monday.
Army and Kerala bagged championships in men’s and women’s category respectively. Karnataka was runners in women’s category. The best athletes of the tournament where honoured with Rs 10,000 of cash prize with certificates and those who set new meet records received Rs 25,000 and certificate from the organisers.