Trivandrum: The All India Civil Service Basketball Tournament was inaugurated at the Central Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. The inaugural function was presided over by K Muraleedharan MLA, in the absence of V S Shivakumar, Minister for Transportation and Devaswom. Amit Malik IFS, Director, Sports and Youth Affairs, delivered the welcome address on the occasion.

In his presidential address, K Muraleedhran MLA mentioned the importance of sports in the daily life of an average person.

“As the participants in the tournament consist of veterans as well as youngsters, it sends a strong message for all people to get involved in sports, with age no bar,” he said.

Padmini Thomas, President of Kerala State Sports Council, delivered the keynote address and expressed concern about the rampant use of drugs in the national sports scene.