Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel inaugurated ‘Junior Olympics-2016’ by lighting the traditional lamp at Mangala Stadium on Friday January 15.

The two-day event is organized by Kreeda Bharati for school students from 10-17 years of age.

Three flags were hoisted to mark the inaugural ceremony. Kateel hoisted the Kreeda Bharati flag, Mangaluru South MLA JR Lobo hoisted the DK Physical Director’s flag while the DK Junior Olympics flag was hoisted by Regional Spokesperson of Kreeda Bharati V Manjunath.

Addressing the gathering, Kateel said that there is a lot of potential in Mangaluru but it needs to be tapped. He said that the event will serve as a launch pad for many budding sporting talents.

About 3,750 children athletes and sportsmen from Mangaluru South, Mangaluru North, Puttur, Sullia, Bantwal, Beltangady and Moodbidri will participate in the meet.

A Sadananda Shetty was felicitated for his years of service in the field of sports, along with Nalin Kumar Kateel and Deputy Director of Public Education Department, Walter H D’Mello.

The closing ceremony will be held on January 16 at 4:30 pm which will be presided by MCC Mayor Jacintha Vijaya Alfred and District In-Charge Minister B Ramanath Rai.

President of Kreeda Bharati Chandrashekar Rai, MP Tejashwini Gowda, MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik, Shridhar Alva, Mohan Alva, Nagaraj Shetty and Y Abdul Kunhi were present among others.