<![CDATA[Two Indian firemen from Karnataka were facilitated for winning bronze medals at the 13th World Firefighters Games, which was held in Chungju in South Korea between September 10 and 17. The names of the firemen are Mr. Rajesh K. Madiwal and Mr. Ashwin Sanil, This is the first time the firemen from the State are participating in an international event. Mr. Madiwal from Kumta, in Uttara Kannada won bronze medals in the bench press and power lifting events. Mr. Sanil from Udupi,won the bronze medal for winning 4x100 relay team on behalf of India. The two were felicitated by the director of Fire and Emergency Services Mr. H.S. Varadarajan at the regional fire office on Wednesday. Having excelled in the national sports meet for firemen in Nagpur, the two had qualified for the World Firefighters Games. The expenses were too high for us to meet. There were also a lot of mandatory clearances to participate in the event. Thanks to Mr. Varadarajan, we participated and brought laurels to our State and the region, Mr. Sanil said delightfully. Mr. Madiwal said the support of the department has inspired to participate in more sporting events. Mr. Varadarajan said it was the first time the department came to know about the international sporting event for firemen. Among the several clearances that Mr. Madiwal and Mr. Sanil had to take was one from the Central Fire Advisor in New Delhi. From now on more firemen will be sent from the State to national and international meets he said. He also said that firemen were, for a long time, barred from taking part in State-level and national-level sports meets for government employees. In the past eight years, divisional and State-level sports events are being held exclusively for firemen, he said. ]]>
