Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (RD/SP)
 
Udupi, Nov 27: Manipal University (MU) will be hosting the second All India Inter Health University Athletic Championship at the MIT grounds, here from Saturday December 5 to Monday December 7, said Dr H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor of MU.
 
Addressing the media-persons at the press meet held here on Friday November 27, Dr Ballal said that the athletic meet was not restricted to the medical students alone, as dental and nursing students too would be taking part in it.  A total of 207 athletes were expected to take-part in the three-day event, in which 12 universities have sent in their entries.
 
Altogether, 119 men and 88 women have been entered for the track and field events, with the largest contingent of 40 representing Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore.
 
Rajiv Gandhi University, hosts of the inaugural edition in Bangalore last year, had emerged the overall champions in the men’s and women’s sections, while MU finished runners-up in the men’s section and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik, had secured the runner-up position in the women’s section.
 
The MIT ground, which has the red clay track, is in the final stages of preparation for the event.  All other arrangements too are in place. The teams will be arriving a day or two before the event. They will be lodged in the MIT hostels, and food arrangements have been made at the new food court on the MIT campus.
 
Rachna Govil, director of Sports Authority of India, New Delhi, will be the chief guest of the inaugural function. An Arjun Awardee, she is a former national long distance runner, who currently represents the country in shooting events.  
 
Dr Raj Warrier, vice-chancellor, and Dr G K Prabhu, registrar or MU, were also present at the press meet. 
 
The participating teams are: Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore; Dr MGR Medical University, Chennai; SVIMS University Tirupati; KLE University Belgaum;  Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik; Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College; Tamaka, Kolar, Yenepoya University, Mangalore; Nitte University, Mangalore; Dr N T R. University of Health Science, Vijayawada; Sri B M Patil Medical College, BLDE University, Sholapur Road, Bijapur; Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot; and Manipal University, Manipal.