The Hindu : Sport / Athletics : Karnataka CM to unveil Asian GP mascot

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 15, 2006

Sport

Sport - Athletics

Karnataka CM to unveil Asian GP mascot

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: The Karnataka Chief Minister, H.D. Kumaraswamy has been named by the Asian Athletic Association, as the chairman of the organising committee of the Asian Grand Prix Athletics Championship, scheduled to be held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on May 22.

Announcing this at a media meet, D.K. Adhikeshavalu, MP and chairman of the Karnataka Amateur Athletic Association said that the CM would unveil the mascot of the meet `Hangul,' an endangered species of Indian deer on April 20. A high-level committee under the chairmanship of the CM has been constituted to ensure successful conduct of the championship, which includes top athletes of the continent.

Torch relay

To mark the championship, a torch relay is being organised on May 20, from Mysore to Bangalore and on May 21, an Asian Run for Unity and Friendship, from Mayo Hall to Sree Kanteerava Stadium, will be conducted.

R. Ashok, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, who is the patron of the event, said that the government would extend all help for the championship.

``It is a high profile event and I am glad that it is being conducted in Bangalore and it is our duty to help the organisers in all possible manner,'' said Mr. Ashok.

Best of Asian talent

K. Govindaraj, president of the Karnataka Olympic Association said that the Asian GP would showcase the best of the Asian talent and it was bound to rekindle the love for athletics among the youth of the city.

K. Satyanarayana, secretary of the KAAA said that conducting the event in Bangalore would help KAAA's bid to host the Asian Track and Field Championship in the city in 2009.

While the organisers were upbeat about the event, there are still some issues, which need their urgent attention. The state of the Sree Kanteerava Stadium is far from being international class and Thursday's violence, which followed Kannada matinee idol Dr. Raj Kumar's demise, left its scars on the stadium. Dr. Raj's body was kept at the stadium for public to pay their homage. But the fans, unable to get their last glimpse went berserk at the stadium, damaging the track.

Mr. Satyanarayana, however, claimed that the track will be repaired in time. ``In any case, it had to be re-laid and yesterday's violence caused further damage and we can set that right by repairing the patches. We have already requisitioned experts' help and it should be ready in time for the meet,'' said the KAAA official.

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