The winners of ‘K A Nettakallappa Memorial Road Races -2015,’ organised by Deccan Athletic Club, Bengaluru, are all aiming high and living by their dreams to excel as athletes representing the nation across the globe.
Winners of the 12-km race, first place Mahesh Kumar A (Alva’s College, Moodbidre), second place Kanakappa Donni (KLE Arts and Commerce College, Gadag) and third place Siddappa (Alva’s College, Moodbidre) have dreams to represent India in international events.
The victory in road race has embolden their sportsmanship courage. Mahesh Kumar who has participated in three national-level tournaments and five state-level tournaments has been continuously taking part in the athletic tournaments. Kanakappa who had also won the road race held at Raichur and Ballari and came second in this race was upset with his performance.
Among winners of 6-km women’s race, Akshatha A, the first year degree student of Government First Grade College, Davanagere, said she enjoys running besides playing Kabbadi. However, poverty has been a big obstacle for her aspirations to aim high. Excited over the win, the young woman said she would get into railways to pursue her dream of becoming a national and international athlete. The second place winner Archana K M from Alva’s College, Moodbidre, said she had participated in All India Inter-University Cross Country (Men & Women) Championships six times. She came fourth in All India Half Marathon. The third place winner Suma from Nitte Education Trust had come first in the road race held at Bidar last week.
The first, second and third place winners of the race held for the boys Under-16 years are Dinesh (Nitte Education Trust), R V Vijayasarathy (Blossom International School, Ramanagar) and Pundaleeka M (Siddaganga School, Davanagere) respectively.
Among girls, Jayalaxmi, Malashree and Chaitra, all from Alva’s Sports Club won first, second and third place respectively.
Athletes who came first received Rs 5,000 as cash prize, those who came second got Rs 3,500 and those who came third were give Rs 2,500 respectively in both men and women’s categories. The winners in the children category (below 16 years) received Rs 1,500 as first prize respectively. The cash prize was accompanied by a certificate along with gold, silver and bronze medals for first, second and third prizes respectively.
The route
The 12-kilometre run commenced from the district stadium and passed through Brahmagiri Circle, SP Office Road, Udupi-Manipal Road, Kalsanka, Sharada Kalyana Mantap, MGM College, New Manipal Bazar and culminated at the district stadium grounds. The six-kilometre run held for women began at New Manipal Bazar and ended at the district stadium grounds.
Udupi Superintendent of Police K Annamalai flagged off the road races.
Speaking after giving way the prizes to the winners, Deputy Commissioner Dr R Vishal said the sportsmanship spirit is essential. He said the nation is moving towards the path of superpower. However, to achieve the milestone, there needs a balanced societal justice, economy and also the empowered sports scenario.He stressed that impetus should be given to carve a niche for the country in the international scenario.
He said the budding sports talents should come forward to exhibit their talents, whenever there is an opportunity to do so.
He added that the government has also realised the worth of encouraging the sports activities and a quality sum was spent on sports activities and sports talents, he added.
