By Violet Pereira, Team Mangalorean

Mangalore: The DK District Football Association's 16 Independence Cup Football Tournament began on Nehru Maidan here on July 14.  About 112 teams have enrolled their names, the last date for receiving entries will be the 20 of July and more teams are expected to take part in the one month long tournament.

The tournament was inaugurated by the city deputy mayor Amitakala by lighting the traditional lamp.  In her inaugural speech Amitakala, said that  the participants should keep the sportive spirit high. It is a good sign that many students are taking part in this tournament and the DKDFA is encouraging the football players by organizing such competitions. This will help the players to increase their sportive spirit. If any one of the participant of the team reach the national level, it will be the best reward for the organization, she opined. She also assured to renovate the present Nehru Maidan ground for children to play football and avoid any public programmes on the ground.

Chairman, Muda Ramesh, speaking on the occasion said that over the past 13 years the organizers had been working hard to make the ground a permanent football ground.  He said that already four grounds have been identified out of which Emmekere ground is one which can be transformed into a football ground.  He assured his whole-hearted support in making Emmikere ground a permanent football ground.

Corporation Bank Assistant deputy general manager Govinda Pai addressing the players said, "In sports competitive spirit is a must because it will increase the chances of winning.  We must give importance to the sports because in our country only cricket gets more importance but in Kerala and West Bengal they give importance to football.  DK District Football  Association has been encouraging the football players through tournaments in the past and will support them in the future too". He thanked the organizers for their relentless efforts to promote football in Mangalore. Let this  organization be recognized in international level and let the Mangalorean football players shine in the national level as well as international level, he said.

Corporator, Mangalore City Corporation A Diwakar and  Chairman DKFA Aslam were also present. Secretary DKFA Hussain Bolar welcomed the gathering and also delivered the vote of thanks.