New Delhi, June 20 - Children from more than 2,000 schools will take part in a painting competition to pay tribute to the country's artistic talent as part of the arts and culture bouquet of the Commonwealth Games 2010.

The competition with theme "My Dream Sport" will be a platform for emerging Indian artists to lend colour to their creative imagination hinged on the country's rich legacy of sports. The competition is being billed as one of the largest in Asia.

Organisers of the Shoobh Arts Competition in association with the Lalit Kala Academy this week announced the call for entries from students aged between 5 and 17 years.

The entries must be submitted by Aug 15, 2010. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has autographed a cartoon by Uday Shankar as a mascot for the competition.

The students will be divided into three categories according to their age groups for the competition. Students with special needs will also participate. The list of winners will be announced Sep 5, 2010.

The best entries will be exhibited at prominent Indian art galleries and will also be featured in Indian Art magazine.

Commenting on the platform, artist Anjolie Ela Menon, who will lead the jury, said: "Platforms like the Shoobh Arts Competition may help bring out India's emerging talent who may not have been discovered otherwise."

A 16-member jury will judge 600 entries.

Artist K. R. Subanna said: "The competition will be the biggest talent hunt in the country for the young minds to showcase their talent."

The goal of the competition is to support and nurture Indian visual artists early in their career by providing them a forum to display their artistic talent to the country and hopefully open doors to future opportunity.

The three selected finalists in each category will be awarded a medal and a certificate from the sponsors.

The winning paintings will also be displayed at the Commonwealth Games venues as well as key locations across New Delhi and NCR.

Bharat Gauba of Shoobh Arts said one of the objective of the competition was to spread awareness about art. "The children who participate will become advocates for other kids to share the platform."

The competition's school advisory committee member and educationist Shyama Chona said: "By asking students with special needs to draw their dream sport, the competition plans to create awareness about the importance of the Games and allow them to express their aspirations related to their dream sport."

Students can log on to www. shoobharts. com for details. (IANS)