Mangaluru : District in-charge Minister Ramanath Rai and Minister for Youth Empowerment and Sports Abhayachandra Jain have said that arrangements for hosting 19th Federation Cup National Senior Athletics Championship 2015 at Mangala Stadium in Mangaluru was nearing completion.

Speaking after inaugurating the office of National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for the event on Tuesday, Rai said that basic facilities at the stadium had been upgraded. Mangalore City Corporation has given Rs five lakh and Department of Ecology will release Rs 10 lakh for conducting the event. The SCDCC Bank and Mescom have also given Rs five lakh each for the purpose.

Abhayachandra Jain said that the Federation Cup gave an opportunity to upgrade the synthetic track in Mangala Stadium.

There were faults in the synthetic tracks which have been rectified. The toilets in the stadium have been repaired. The warm-up area at Karavali Exhibition Ground will be ready within two days. The synthetic track was damaged owing to the use of water from the swimming pool. To supply water to the stadium, a borewell has been sunk, he added.

The stadium has been painted and arrangement for the temporary floodlights will be completed shortly.

Out of 12 poles for floodlights, four poles have been installed. The floodlights will supply 700 lexus lights.

The Minister said that with the help of the district administration, all athletes will be provided accommodation facilities from April 29 itself.

Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim said that rain would not hamper the competitions. Mysore Minerals has given Rs 10 lakh for the event. “We are expecting to raise Rs 60 lakh from various departments and corporations,” he added.

Medical college and engineering colleges have been asked to get their students to watch the event. “We are expecting 20,000 public to witness the event daily. On the inaugural day, a two-hour cultural programme will be held. From May 1 to 4, one hour cultural programmes will be held daily in the evening. The cultural programmes will highlight the culture and tradition of Dakshina Kannada and India.”

A total of 47 events will be organised during the four-day championship. The events will be held from 6 am to 9.30 am and 3.30 pm to 6.30 pm.

Athletics Federation of India Technical Committee member Sathish Uchil said that warm-up area was manageable though not up to the international standard.

There is no need for floodlight facility as the events are held during daytime.The parking of vehicles has been arranged for the athletes and officials at Canara High School, Urwa and for the general public, the parking is allowed at Ladyhill Church premises and Pompei School premises.

DK Athletics Association president Manjunath Bhandary said that over 800 athletes had registered their names for the 19th Federation Cup National Senior Athletics Championship 2015. Normally, 650 athletes take part.

The Federation Cup will also act as trials/selection for international meets including Asian Athletic Championship to be held at Wuhan, China in June and World Athletic Championship to be held in Beijing in August.