Mangaluru: National Level Football tournament organised by Mangalore Sports Club was inaugurated by State Minister for Sports, Fisheries and Youth Affairs, K Abhaychandra Jain at the Nehru Football Maidan here, on Thursday, April 14.

Former Mayor Ashraf lauded Mangalore Sports Club for reviving football in Mangaluru.

“The government has sanctioned Rs one crore for development of football in the region. Already Rs 25 lakh is deposited in the Deputy Commissioner’s account. With the Mayors’s permission we will start our work,” he said.

Abhaychandra Jain said that Rs 2 crore was sanctioned towards the construction of a swimming pool of international standards.

“A cricket turf is in the offing for the cricket lovers of Mangaluru. An eight-acre land at Kottara is in the mix. The Chief Minister has set Rs 5 crore for NSS and Rs 35 crores has been already handed over to the sports development authority,” he said.

Mayor Harinath praised the efforts of Ashraf, under whose guidance the tournament was organized.

MLA Mohiuddin Bava, Sadananda Shetty and others were present.