Karnataka - Mangalore   

They donate blood to participate in sports meet

Staff Correspondent

An association hits upon a unique way to collect "entry fee" from athletes An association hits upon a unique way to collect "entry fee" from athletes

SPORTING GESTURE: Sportspersons donating blood at the Nehru Maidan at Mangalore on Sunday. — Photo: R. Eswarraj

MANGALORE: It is not uncommon for organisers of sporting and cultural events to collect entry fee from participating teams.

But the Football Players Association, Mangalore, which is organising a fortnight-long `Kreedotsava 2007' at the Nehru Maidan here from Sunday hit upon a novel way of collecting an entry fee of sorts from athletes who wanted to participate in the various events.

It was not money, which the association sought from the athletes, but precious blood, which would go a long way in saving the life of a fellow being. And for a change, many athletes, most of them youth, who had not donated blood in their lifetime, were glad and willing volunteers.

Aiding the organisers in this noble endeavour were staff from District Government Wenlock Hospital and Yenepoya Medical College Hospital.

Although the organisers had hoped to collect at least 1,000 units of blood, increasing temperature played spoilsport and they were able to collect only 250 units of blood.

While the 250-odd athletes were donating blood at the camp held at the maidan, 400 people had their blood grouping done and also signed up a register of willing donors if the need for their blood group arose in future.

D.M. Aslam, chief convener of the kreedotsava, said the association was inspired by mega blood donation camp held at Bangalore recently.

"Although it was our endeavour to emulate the Bangalore feat, heat proved disconcerting for all. The staff of two medical institutions worked tirelessly at the camp," he said.

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