Mangaluru ; Minister for Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fisheries K. Abhayachandra Jain said here on Wednesday that all the important finishes in the five-day National Senior Athletics Championship, also known as Federation Cup, scheduled here from April 30 would be conducted before 7 p.m.

Addressing presspersons after releasing the invitation of the championship, the Minister said that the proposal of having permanent floodlight facility at Mangala Stadium, the venue of the championship, has been dropped considering the huge fund it required. However, some floodlights with a capacity of 1,200 lux would be arranged at a cost of Rs. 22 lakh at the stadium temporarily. They are for the live telecast of events as well as for the finishes, if required. But all efforts would be made to complete the finishes during daylight without keeping them for floodlight, Mr. Jain said.

He said that when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah arrives here on April 30 for the inaugural function, a request for funds to extend the viewers’ gallery would be made to him.

The Minister said that the warm-up ground for athletes was getting ready near the stadium at an estimated cost of Rs. 20 lakh, which would be borne by the Mangaluru City Corporation. A compound wall would be built around it. An anti-doping room was also getting ready at an estimate of Rs. 9 lakh.

A total of 48 events are scheduled, and about 700 delegates and 200 technical persons are expected to arrive for the meet. Arrangements had been made for their accommodation and sports materials worth Rs. 60 lakh had been purchased so far, Mr. Jain said.