Kottayam: Around 2,800 athletes from schools the across the state will vie for top honours at the 61st state school athletics championships which will begin in Pala on Friday. Pala is hosting the major school event after a gap of 25 years. The day will begin with senior boys competitions. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the synthetic track stadium and athletics meet by 4 pm. A.C. Moideen, minister for sports and youth affairs, will preside over the function. Education Minister Prof C Raveendranath will deliver the key note address on the occasion.
The deepashika (flame) for the athletic meet reached Pala on Thursday morning. The deepashika, lighted by Olympian T.U. Irfan at the Calicut University stadium where the previous edition of the meet was held, began its journey to the venue from the Poonjar G.V. Raja stadium. It was brought to Pala by Olympian Shiny Wilson, Asiad athlete Josy Perunnolil and former international swimmer Wilson Cherian. At the stadium the flame was received by Jose K. Mani, MP, along with thousands of volunteers. Pala municipal chairperson Leena Sunny and district panchayat president Zacharaias Kuthiravely were also present.
