The District AIDS Control Unit organised a marathon and National Sports Day programme at the General Thimmaiah District Stadium on Saturday as part of its intensified Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign.
The programme was inaugurated by Assistant Director of the Youth Empowerment and Sports Department Vismaya Chakravarthy and District AIDS Control Officer Dr. Sanath Kumar. Dr. Sanath Kumar said the campaign aimed to create awareness among youth about HIV/AIDS prevention, healthy lifestyles and the services available to those affected by the infection.
Coach Antony D’Souza stressed the importance of HIV prevention among youth and urged them to adopt healthy lifestyles and help spread awareness. He also recalled the sporting achievements of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.
Marathon winners: Boys: Prasanna H.G. (Cauvery College, Virajpet), first; Darshan (Cauvery College, Virajpet), second; and Suman Belliappa (Government Polytechnic, Kushalnagar), third. Girls: Deepa K.S. (Cauvery College, Gonikoppa), first; Rashmita A.R. (Government Women’s College, Madikeri), second; and Chashimita (Cauvery College, Virajpet), third.
Health officials, Indian Red Cross Society representatives, sports department personnel and badminton player Jyoti Somaiah were present.



