Mysuru: As a prelude to the formal inauguration of this year’s Dasara Sports scheduled this evening at the Chamundi Vihar Stadium, the Dasara Kreeda Jyothi (Sports Torch) was lit by the Chief Minister Siddharamaiah before handing it over to Grand Master M.S. Thejkumar atop Chamundi Hill, in the presence of District in-Charge Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa and Minister for Sports and Youth Empowerment Pramod Madhwaraj, here this morning.

Athletes braving cold weather took part in the relay of the torch from Chamundi Hill to Nimbujamba Temple in Nazarbad. The relay, in which athletes from DYES and members of various sports associations took part, passed through the main thoroughfares of the city before reaching the temple.

The torch will be brought to Chamundi Vihar Stadium this evening for the formal inauguration. International athletes H.M. Jyothi (athletics), Reena George (athletics), Bhandavya (basketball) and Leelavathi (hockey) will be the torch-bearers for the last lap. Later, the torch will be handed over to International Women cricketers Veda Krishnamurthy and Rajeshwari Gayakwad to light the Dasara Sports Flame which will continue to burn till the end of the games.

The formal inauguration of Dasara Sports will be held this evening at Chamundi Vihar Stadium. District in-Charge Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, Sports and Youth Empowerment Minister Pramod Madhwaraj and others will be present.

Meanwhile, around 4,500 athletes from across the State will be taking part in various events. The four-day meet will witness the athletes vying for honours in more than 20 different events which include athletics, basketball, ball badminton, football, gymnastics, hockey, handball, kabaddi, kho kho, netball, swimming, shuttle badminton, tennis, table tennis, throwball, volleyball, body building, half marathon and cyclothon.  

Dasara Sports Sub-Committee has also announced cash reward for individual medal winners. While the gold medal winner will be rewarded Rs. 5,000, the silver and bronze medal winners will get Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 1,500 respectively. In the team events, members of the winning team will each get Rs. 3,000, while those coming second and third will get Rs. 1,500 and Rs. 1,000 respectively. For those setting records will be rewarded with Rs. 10,000 cash prize.

The 13th Dasara Half Marathon will be held on Sept. 24 and will be flagged off at 6.30 am from University of Mysore Athletic Ground (Oval Ground). The Half marathon will be held for 21.1 km. This apart, 12K run will be held for college boys, 6K Run for college girls and high school boys and 3K run for high school girls. The Committee has announced cash prizes for first six winners in each category.

Meanwhile, the Dasara Cyclothon event will be held on Sept. 27 at 6.30 am from Chamundi Vihar Stadium and body building competition for men will be held on Sept. 22 in weight category and height category on Sept. 23. The valedictory will be held on Sept. 24 at 4 pm.