I-Day football tourney kick starts in Mangalore

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Suresh Vamanjoor)

July 20, 2013

Mangalore, Jul 20: Over 200 teams in six categories will compete for the winning spot in the 17th edition of the Independence Cup football tournament organised by Dakshina Kannada District Football Association (DKDFA) in Mangalore, the final of which will be held on August 15.

The month-long tournament was inaugurated here at Nehru Maidan on Saturday with a kick-off by Assistant General Manager of Corporation Bank Govind H Pai, in the presence of football teams from various schools across the district.

Rain proved no deterrent for students who had assembled for the first leg of the tournament as teams played vigorously against their opponents. The first match of the tournament was played between Sacred Heart Higher Primary School, Kulshekar and SDM Higher Primary School, Ujire.

In his inaugural address, Principal of Rosario College of Management Fr Alwin Serrao said that people in the nation followed the game of cricket with a frenzy, but such was not the case for other sports. Hockey is hardly seen anymore, but football has managed to survive, which should be kept alive through tournaments, he said, wishing that the tradition of football would continue for years.

Participation is of utmost importance in sports, he told the players, quoting the famous adage 'Winners never quit'.

He said that organising such an immense tournament was difficult, but the football association had managed to do so, and lauded their efforts.

Speaking on the occasion, corporator Diwakar said that football did not receive the same kind of encouragement that cricket received.

The tournament is a good opportunity to bring out and recognise the talents of young children, he said.

DKDFA president D M Aslam said that 54 teams had registered so far in the high school boys category, and 10 in the girls category. There were 27 teams in the higher primary boys and seven in girls category. About 27 teams had registered in the category of PU colleges, he said.

Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA) member Vijaya Suvarna and DKDFA secretary Mohammed Hussain Bolar were present on the occasion.

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Air India Express brings back Mangaluru–Muscat direct flights from March 2026

News Network

December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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