The St Kuriakose Elias Chavara South Indian inter-state basketball tournament for boys (under 19) began this afternoon at the Lisieux Matriculation Higher Secondary School, and was inaugurated by school principal Rev Fr Dr Philip Pontheckan.

More than 30 teams from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Puducherry are participating in the tournament. The final is slated for November 26, and the winning team will be awarded Rs 20,000 cash prize and a rolling trophy. The second, third and fourth position holders will get cash prizes of Rs 15,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000, and trophies.

Victor Manjila, former Indian International football goalkeeper and coach, and R Vanaja, inspector of matriculation schools, Coimbatore, will be the chief guest and guest of honour at the valedictory function.