Mangaluru : Minister for Sports, Youth Empowerment and Fisheries K Abhayachandra Jain inaugurated the The 64th National-level Body Building and Fitness Championship – 2016’ at Nehru Maidan here on Friday, February 12.

The sports torch was lit by Abhaychandra Jain and U T Khader and handed over to Roshan Ferrao.District Deputy Commissioner AB Ibrahim, Health Minister UT Khader and MCC Mayor Jacintha Vijaya Alfred were present.

Addressing the gathering minister said that Mangaluru has its own identity in sports.A swimming pool at a cost of Rs 5 crore, a cricket stadium in a nine-acre land in Kottara and a turf on the football ground at Nehru Maidan at a cost of Rs 80 lakh will come up in district, he added.

Body building championship will be platform for the body builders to exhibit the talent hidden in them said, Health and family welfare minister U T Khader.

MUDA Chairman Ibrahim Kodijal, Chairman of  Sri Devi Education Trust Sadananda Shetty, Director of FMMI Patrick Rodrigues, Raymond D’Cunha and others were also present.