THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala will witness one of the highest public participation during a single event in years when Governor P Sathasivam will flag off the Run Kerala Run mass run in front of the Secretariat here at 10.30 am on Tuesday.
Held in build up to the 35th National Games with just 11 days to go, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar would attend the run from the Azad Gate of the Secretariat to its main gate followed by a public convention at the Central Stadium here.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Sports Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, Ministers, MLAs, athletes and other prominent personalities from various walks of life would attend the run which would be held simultaneously over 7,000 centres across the state.
Speaking to mediapersons here on Monday, Thiruvanchoor said that 21 mega runs would be held in the state on the day along with 226 mini-mega runs and 10,000 ordinary points adding that he expects around 1 crore people to participate in the event.
At each centre, the national anthem would be sung followed by the theme song of Run Kerala Run. A pledge would be taken by the runners before the flag off of the mass run.
“The event will be a show of solidarity and unity of Kerala to the world. It will also show the love of Keralites for sporting activities,” Thiruvanchoor said, thanking the public for their efforts to make the mass run a success.
He also appealed to the public to switch off their motor vehicles for one hour between 10.30 am and 11.30 am, during which the run would be held. “This will help in improving the state’s carbon footprint and make the event an environment friendly one,” he said.
Thiruvanchoor Praises Sachin
Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan had special praise for Sachin Tendulkar on Monday as he arrived in the city to participate in the Run Kerala Run to be held to promote the 35th National Games.
“Sachin has already spent four days with us to promote the National Games,” Thiruvanchoor said.
“Despite being one of the most recognised individual around the world, Sachin has not asked for a single paisa to promote the Games,” he said.
Thiruvanchoor thanked the former cricketer, who is also the co-owner of Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League football tournament, for his services to the state.