The Hindu : Sport / Athletics : TNMAA felicitates State medallists

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 12, 2004

Sport

Sport - Athletics

TNMAA felicitates State medallists

CHENNAI, APRIL 11. Athletics as a discipline among the veterans has grown into a movement gaining strength by each passing day with more and more participants in various meets. This was the theme of the speakers at a function organised by the Tamil Nadu Masters Athletics Association to felicitate the State medallists, at the JN Stadium this evening.

Tamil Nadu won a whopping 111 medals, the team championship for men, the overall championship and missed the women's title by a whisker to Assam at the recent Masters' meet at Hyderabad early this month.

M. Balachandran, IGP, Armed Police, who presided, lauded the efforts of the medal winners. He pointed out that sport offered no scope for retirement unlike other professional work and urged the veterans to serve as an inspiration to the youth.

In his Presidential address, Walter I. Dawaram said that the recognition gained today was the result of the determined endeavour of the participants since 1982. As President of TNMAA, Mr. Dawaram assured all help for the athletes. Ujagar Singh, IAS, Vice-President of TNMAA, appreciated the quality of the performances at the recent meet. He also commended the vision of Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa, for initiating moves to open a sports university. Chengai Sivam, former MLA, praised the contribution of Mr. Dawaram for keeping up the athletics profile of the state.

Tamil Nadu fielded 145 athletes for the Masters. Among them 47 men and 22 women won gold medals. Special mementos, donated by Ms. V.G. Panneerdas, were presented to Daisy Victor and Deva Asir for winning more than three golds. Jansi Mathew and Jayamma among women, Selvaraj and Ganesan among men also claimed three gold medals each. Medal winners from all districts in the state participated.

T. Devarajan, Vice-President, TNMAA, proposed a vote of thanks.

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