Karnataka Rajyotsava awardee and South Canara District Central Cooperative Bank Vice President Vinay Kumar Soorinje and Taekwondo champion K.V. Samhitha Alevooraya felicitated during the inauguration of State-level badminton tournament for Vipras organised by Vipra Sangama and Rising Star, Puttur, in Mangaluru on on December 15, 2024.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Vipra Sangama and Rising Star, Puttur, organised SMASHIT, a State-level badminton tournament for Vipra community members under different categories, here on Sunday (December 15, 2024). As many as 110 teams from different parts of Karnataka participated in the tournament.

Inaugurating the event, hereditary priest of the Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple Harinarayana Asranna said engaging in sports activities enhances mental and physical health of participants. Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Maha Sabha Vice President and advocate Mahesh Kaje, District Dharmika Parishat Member Subrahmanya Prasada, District Nirmithi Kendra Director Rajendra Kalbavi and others were present.

200 games

On the occasion, Karnataka Rajyotsava awardee and South Canara District Central Cooperative Bank Vice President Vinay Kumar Soorinje and Taekwondo champion K.V. Samhitha Alevooraya were felicitated. About 200 games were played in the tournament with umpiring by Karnataka Badminton Association umpires.

Pranav and Vidyanand Kashyap from Bengaluru emerged winners and Pavan and Anirudh from Udupi emerged runners-up in men’s doubles while Asha Bhat and Geetha Bhat from Udupi and Ashwini Thunga and Keerthana from Udupi emerged winners and runners-up in the women’s doubles.

In mixed doubles, Pavan and Geetha Bhat from Udupi were the winners and Vidyananda Kashyap and Ramya were the runners-up. Srikanth S. Rao from Bantwal and Dhanvi Bhat from Mangaluru were the winners in the under-19 boys and girls events respectively.

Prize monies of over ₹1 lakh and trophies were given to the winners.

The valedictory was attended by Century Mattress Mangaluru proprietor Prasanna Rao Baneri, Subrahmanya Sabha Director Maneesh Rao, DK Badminton Association executive commttee member Ganesh Prasad and others. Vipra Sangama President Roopesh, treasurer Srivatsa and others were present.