JOIN USChief Minister Siddaramaiah said girls should learn Karate for self-defence and to face challenges in the present competitive world.
He was speaking after inaugurating a national-level Open Karate Championship organised by the Self Defence School of Indian Karate Mangaluru Dojo at Nehru Maidan here on Saturday.
"Learning martial arts will play a crucial role in controlling increasing cases of harassment on women in society. Some perverted mindset people are engaged in sexually harassing the women and girl students. The knowledge of Karate will help them to defend themselves. Even schools should give priority to teach Karate for its students, especially girl students," he observed.
"I don't know much about Karate, but I have watched the film Enter the Dragon in which Bruce Lee had performed martial arts," he said.
"From the past one month, Mayor Kavitha Sanil was insisting on me to attend the National Karate Championship in Mangaluru. I know Kavitha herself is a Karate Champion with a black belt and she has also received the Karnataka Rajyotsava award in 2004. Today, she has taken a special interest to organise the championship," he added.
Karate helps to develop self-confidence and self-esteem among girls. "It also gives courage to face challenges," the chief minister.
Siddaramaiah unveiled the trophies. A painting of Siddaramaiah, drawn by Shabari Ganiga, was presented to him on the occasion.
District In-charge Minister B Ramanath Rai, former minister Abhaychandra Jain, MLAs Mohiuddin Bava and Shakuntala Shetty were present.
Day 1 results
Kata category (Below 8-year-old girls): Namitha (I), Dythi (II), Samanvi Poojary (III) and Suhana Poojary (III).
Kumite category (Below 8-year-old girls): Himani (I), Avani (II), Namitha (III) and Arana (III).
Kata category (Below 8-year-old boys): Namdev (I), Dhanush (II), Jaipadmashali (III) and Yash Amin (III).
Kumite category (Below 8-year-old boys): Yash Poojary (I), Shan (II), Tanmany (III) and Chinmay (III).
Kata (Group A) (Below 10-year-old boys category): Pramath (I), Tanish V C (II), Aryan (III) and Samrudh (III).
Kata (Group B) (Below 10-year-old boys category): Lakshvi Shetty (I), Suchith (II), Harshith R (III) and K C Deepal (III).
Kata (Group A) (Below 10-year-old girls category): Avani (I), Chaitra (II), Ayesha Ziya (III) and Ankitha Shetty (III).
Kata (Group B) (Below 10-year-old girls category): N M Anshi (I), Manvitha K Shetty (II), Vrinda Chadaga (III) and Sahni (III).
The competitions of black belt holders will be held on Sunday.