KASARGOD/KANNUR: The torch relay heralding the 35th National Games began from Kasargod on Friday.
Students dressed as priests and priestesses of sun god Apollo stood witness as Chief Minister Oommen Chandy handed over the torch to Tom Joseph, India’s volleyball captain, and Padmini Thomas, president of the Kerala State Sports Council.
“The National Games starts from Kasargod,” Chandy said before handing over the torch at the grounds of Government Arts and Science College, Kasargod. “The entire state is in a sports fervour, and that is why Run Kerala, Run was a huge success,” he said.
“Even as we speak, our children are piling up medals at the national school games in Ranchi,” the CM said, and hoped that the state would do well in the games. He said the torch relay would be led by “young MLAs” T V Rajesh and P C Vishnunath.
Kerala State Minister for Sports Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said Sachin Tendulkar and Olympian P T Usha would light the games flame at the inauguration of the National Games in Thiruvananthapuram on January 29.
Minister for Public Works V K Ebrahim Kunju and Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Tribes and Youth Affairs P K Jayalakshmi wished the games the best.
Local MLAs N A Nelliikkunnu, E Chandrashekran, and K Kunhiraman (Trikaripur) were present at the function.
The rally reached Kannur in the afternoon on Friday. Athlete K M Greeshma received the torch at Kalikkadavu. District panchayat president K A Sarala, Assistant Collector Harita V Kumar, Deputy Collector Sabin Sameed, District Sports Council president O K Vineesh were among those who were present at the reception held at the district border.