Mangaluru: The new 400 metre synthetic track at Swaraj Maidan in Moodbidri, here was inaugurated by state Forests Minister and Dakshina Kannada district-in-charge B Ramanath Rai. The track was built at a cost of Rs. 5 crore rupees, approx.

In his speech, Rai said sportspersons of national stature are coming up from the region and hoped the new track would help them improve their skills.

Youth Services Minister Abhay Chandra Jain presided over the function, also attended by Urban Development Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake and Oscar Fernandes, MP.

The track, constructed at a cost of Rs 5 crore, is the seventh synthetic track in the state, an official release here said.

Rajya Sabha member, Oscar Fernandes, State urban development minister, Vinay Kumar Sorake, MLCs, Capt Ganesh Karnik and Ivan D’Souza, Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner, A B Ibrahim, Alva’s Education Foundation chairman, Dr M Mohan Alva, were among others present.

Five-day sports meet

A five-day national-level inter-university sports meet began on the new synthetic track today. More than 2,500 athletes from 158 universities across the country are participating in the event.