The fourth edition of the South Asian Athletics Championships has attracted more than 200 athletes from six countries
The fourth edition of South Asian Athletics Championships being held at Ranchi’s Birsa Munda (Morabadi) Stadium from October 24 to 26 will have a long term legacy in the region, Shekhar Jamuar, Jharkhand’s director sports said on Wednesday.
The South Asian Athletics Championships is being jointly organised in coordination with Government of Jharkhand, Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and South Asian Athletics Federation (SAAF)
“We have invited school and college going students to come and witness a three-day international event,” the director sports added. “For holistic development of sports in the region young sporting fans should come and watch top athletes in action.”
Jharkhand’s director sports exuded confidence that Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Stadium (Morabadi) having a seating capacity of 35,000 will have a good number of spectators during the event. “The AFI conducts international events on the home soil to give exposure to young athletes,” Shekhar Jamuar said. “At the same time, athletics fans will get the opportunity to watch their top athletes in action.”
All necessary arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct for the South Asian Athletics Championships, director sports said. “All the government departments have been given instructions to come forward and make the South Asian Athletics Championships a big success,” Shekhar Jamuar added.
More than 200 athletes from six countries including host India will be in action during the three-day meet in Ranchi. Apart from India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Maldives are other participating countries.
India will field a big contingent of 78 athletes, including 35 female competitors. Sri Lanka has a 63-member team, the second largest team in the South Asian Athletics Championships. Nepal has a 27-member team while 20 athletes from Bangladesh have confirmed their entries.
Maldives has confirmed entries of 15 athletes. Bhutan has an eight-member team.
All the teams have arrived in Ranchi and athletes went through training sessions in the evening.
Competition in all days will start in evening
ENDS
