State brings back stranded karate champs from Malaysia

A group of 26 karate players along with coach met Chief Minister Palaniswami at his camp office in the morning and thanked him and the government for taking steps to fly them back to India, when they were stranded in Malaysia. Palaniswami wished the players who won medals for the country.

After meeting them, Palaniswami said, “As many as 29 karate players, including 16 medallists and their coaches who went to participate in a karate tournament in Malaysia were stranded in Kuala Lumpur airport. But the state government intervened and brought them back to Chennai. They were provided food and flight ticket by the Indian embassy officials to ensure their safe return.”

The 29 players went to participate in the karate tournament held in Selangor in Malaysia, from May 12 to 19 and in the tournament, 16 players from Avadi won various medals.

However, on their return they were held back in Kuala Lumpur airport. Reports on the karate players reached the state government on May 22 and immediately the state government, through the Indian embassy here, they contacted the embassy officials in Malaysia and ensured their safe return.

The players upon reaching Chennai thanked Palaniswami and the government for helping them to come back home safely.

Chief Minister Palaniswami said that including the 29 rescued from Malaysia, the state government had rescued 221 persons, including fishermen stranded in various countries in the past two years.

State Minister for Tamil official language and Tamil culture Ma Foi K Pandiarajan, was present when the karate players extended their thanks to Chief Minister Palaniswami.

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami arrived here along with his family members on Monday to offer prayers to Lord Venkateshwara. He was received by the Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) authorities. The Chief Minister will participate in Astadala Padapadma Aradhana Seva on Tuesday morning, TTD sources said.