The first batch of sportspersons which arrived in the district to participate in the 35th National Games was accorded a warm reception here on Wednesday.
A festive mood prevailed at the Alappuzha railway station where a group of 31 members of the rowing team from Manipur, accompanied by team manager and other officials, arrived on the Chennai-Alappuzha Express.
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They were received by a team led by K.C. Venugopal, MP. A.M. Ariff, MLA; Additional District Magistrate T.R. Azad; District Sports Council vice president P.J. Joseph; officials of various departments; and people’s representatives were present.
The rowing and canoeing/kayaking events of the Games are set to be held on Punnamada Lake.
Officials said sportspersons from Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh were expected to reach Alappuzha on Thursday.
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A 19-member team representing the Services Sports Control Board would also arrive by the evening.
Torch rally
The Games’ torch relay will be held in the district on Thursday.
The relay will begin at Chengannur and pass through various places in the district before entering Kollam at Oachira by 4 p.m.
Besides public leaders, sportspersons, including Arjuna Award recipient Saji Thomas, Olympian Manoj Lal, table-tennis stars Maria Roni and Serha Jacob and football star Jean Christian, will participate in the relay.