International Athlete Arjun Devaiah inaugurated the three-day district-level Badminton tournament organised by Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club in association with Mysuru District Badminton Association (MDBA) at University of Mysore (UoM) Indoor Badminton Court here this morning. Recalling his journey, Devaiah said that he took to sports at a rather late age of 21 years. Maintaining that there are no short cuts to success and it is only hard work, determination and dedication, coupled with physical fitness that will shape a complete sports person, he stressed on the need for children to show interest in sports as well along with academics. Underlining the role of coaches in shaping sport persons, he said that although tough training sessions takes a lot of physical and mental stress, they are vital for a sport person to make big at national and international levels. Pointing out that he has counselled hundreds of parents and children from all walks of life on taking up sports, Olympian Devaiah said it was important that parents encourage children to take up sports at a young age. UoM PE Director Krishnaiah, MDBA Secretary S.G. Prabhu, Mysuru Kodava Samaja President B.M. Nanaiah, Kodava Samaja Cultural and Sports Club President M.P. Nanaiah, Vice-President K.D. Muthappa, Secretary K.N. Kushalappa and others were present.
