Mysuru: Deputy Commissioner Rohini Sindhuri launched a three-day cricket tournament for creating public awareness on the deadly Tuberculosis (TB) disease, at J.K. Grounds near the City Railway Station here on Friday last.

The cricket tournament was jointly organised by the District Administration, ZP, District Health and Family Welfare Department, District TB Control Centre and State NTEP Employees.

Speaking after inaugurating the tournament by striking a ball with a cricket bat, Rohini Sindhuri said that though COVID-19 is creating havoc at present, it is important to understand that TB is more dangerous than Coronavirus and as such, creating widespread awareness and sensitising people is vital for controlling the spread of TB.

Pointing out that Mar. 24 is observed as World Tuberculosis Day, she said that awareness  programmes are being held since four years. The three-day cricket tournament in which Health Department officials and staff from eight districts of Mysuru Revenue Division took part, aimed at creating a wider public awareness on the dreaded disease, she said.

Sindhuri said that Swachh Survekshan Abhiyaan to rank the cities of the country on cleanliness is going on in Mysuru since January and is scheduled to end on Mar. 31. Maintaining that efforts have been made to make the city plastic-free, she said that, however, the efforts received a little setback due to the outbreak of the COVID-19. 

Cautioning against the use of banned plastics, the DC said that strict action will be taken against manufacturers and sellers of banned plastics in a relentless drive that will be launched from April 5.

District TB Control Officer Dr. Mohammed Siraj Ahmed said that the Prime Minister has called for making the country TB-free. A host of awareness programmes are being held in this direction and a massive programme has been organised on Mar. 24, marking World TB Day, he pointed out.

A total of 16 teams from eight districts took part in this three-day tournament.

Winners

Mysuru District RNTCP team emerged as winners followed by Chikkaballapur in the runner-up place and Shivamogga district in third place.

Mysuru DHO Dr. T. Amarnath, Dr. Ravi, Dr. Uday Kumar and others were present on the occasion.