Moodbidri : The Prestigious Alva’s Ekalavya Award and National sports day was celebrated organised by Alvas Physical education college at Vidyagiri Dr V S Acharya hall on August 29.

International weightlifter Pushparaj Hegde, Athletic, coach, Dhyan Chand award winner Uday K Prabhu, international Athlete Jamaluddin and Nitte education trust honoured Niranjan with Alva’s Ekalavya Award. Alvas Abhimanyu award by Alvas old students sports association was given to National level athlete Samsheer, National short put player Nisha, Kho kho players Ravi Valge and Deeksha.

Sports minister K Abhaychandra Jain presided over the function. He said, “While deciding the budget Sports gets last place. So we are demanding more budget to improve sports facilities in the state. Talented sportsmen need to be encouraged. Construction of Synthetic track, indoor ground is under process in Moodbidri. The demand for a centre for youth, cricket pitch for youth at swaraj maidan will be taken into consideration,” he said.

Dr Mohan Alva is rendering a lot of service in the sports field, which is appreciable, he said.

Alvas director Dr M Mohan Alva, speaking on the occasion said that, “4 crore is spent on sports department by the institution. We are giving more importance to rural sports. We are working to take our district to the top level in the country in the sports field.

Former minister and state sports department commissioner H Venkatesh, K Amarnath Shetty, Coach Uday Kumar, Selvendra, Pramod read the award certificates.

Physical education director Praveen Kumar compered the function and rendered vote of thanks.

International Weightlifter Pushparaj Hegde said that,” when we are successful, we should not forget our footsteps. And we should not take wrong path to be successful.”