MUMBAI: The exclusive football championship for first-time voters, organised by Malleshwaram Sports Foundation and Rebels Foundation, was flagged off on Wednesday by Dr. C N Ashwath Narayan, MLA, Malleshwaram, Shri Manjunath Raju, Corporator - Ward 65, Kadu Malleshwaram and Mr. Chandan Shetty, Big Boss Kannada Winner.
More than 250 first time voters are participating in the tournament that aims to create awareness about the importance of voting in upcoming elections, and increasing participation of first-time voters.
More than 20 teams from various top colleges and football club across the city came together to participate in this tournament. The tournament will be conducted over 4 days.
This event was an initiative by Ashwath Narayan, MLA and Manjunath, Corporator. After they witnessed the response for Bengaluru Youth Football Cup held in August, they wanted to organise a similar tournament. Football being a community driven sport and a sport that can create awareness among the masses, they decided to conduct this tournament to create the awareness amongst the youth who is voting for the first time.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA, Malleshwaram, Dr. C.N. Ashwath Narayan said, “First time Voters football championship is a tournament that is being conducted to spread the awareness of the upcoming elections through football. Sport always has played a very big role in uniting communities across all sectors. We are conducting this tournament as a platform to empower more youth to get into team sports and also provide an outlet for talent of the thousands of footballers in the city. Malleshwaram sports foundation as always will continue to support sports and provide competing platforms for talented individuals.”
Rebels Foundation, President, Ms. Kavya Ananth said, "It is encouraging for organisations like Rebels Foundation when we get the support from leaders to use sport as a platform to create any kind of awareness and bring people together. Through this we hope to get value that will be translated into empowering economically challenged children through sports which is our main cause. We are looking forward to witness some great competitions amongst the top football teams in the city.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. G Manjunath Raju said, “It is our pleasure to be hosting the First Time Voters Football Championship for the youth of Bengaluru. In today's dynamic world, the youth have the maximum opportunity to voice out and activate their rights. It is important to remind and encourage one of their most important rights, that is to choose the leaders of this country by exercising their Right to Vote. We hope that this tournament not only encourages the youth to get on the field and play the sport that they love, and also to play a role in being active citizens of our country.”
Mr. Chandan Shetty also encouraged the participants to take active part in decision making and administration of the state, and lauded the tournament for its forethought.
Participants and Audience appreciated the support of political leaders of the locality and celebrities like Chandan Shetty in generating awareness about importance of voting in First time voters Football Championship. They emphazised on the need of more such events in the city which will have a positive impact in upcoming elections.
