FINALLY, there will be some track and field action in city. After more than nine months of lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic, athletes from the city, who were training to get competition ready for past few months, will now be getting a chance to participate in actual competition in a couple of days’ time.

 

Nagpur District Athletics Association (NDAA) will be conducting junior selection (Under-14, U-16, U-18 and U-20) competition from January 11 to 15 at three different venues of the city.

 

During the selection competition, Nagpur district team will be selected which will take part in the State Junior Athletics Championship, which will be held between January 17-23, 2021.

 

To avoid crowding, NDAA has decided to hold competition at three different venues.

 

“The dates have been finalised. We will conduct the competitions between January 11 and 15 at three different venues,” said Dr Sharad Suryawanshi, Secretary, NDAA.

 

“The reason to hold the competition at three venues is to avoid crowding and maintain social distancing.

 

“The throwing events will be held at Shrimati Binzani City College while the sprints events will take place at Ishwar Deshmukh College of Physical Education (IDCPE).

 

“Similarly, long distance and jumping events will be held at Jyotiba College of Physical Education (JCPE), Hingna. We will also try to follow all Standard Operating Procedures,” added Dr Suryawanshi while talking to ‘The Hitavada’.

Dr Suryawanshi, who is also Senior Joint Secretary of Maharashtra Athletics Association, said that they are trying to hold the State meet at three districts if permission is not granted to hold the competition at Pune.

 

“We are yet to get permission to hold Junior State Athletics Championship at Pune. If we get permission to hold it at Pune, well and good. Otherwise, we will hold the competitions at three different districts— Darvan, Kolhapur and Pune,” said the former international athlete.

 

To minimise crowding, players who have participated in last State meet and finished at 8th place will be allowed to take part.

 

“Over two thousand athletes take part in selection trials. Eventhough that is a good sign, this time we will have to restrict the number of participation due to COVID-19.

 

“During the State meeting, it was decided to hold selection trials with Qualifying Standard. Athletes who have finished at maximum 8th position will be strictly allowed to take part in the district selection trials. In this way, only ‘cream’ of athletes will be able to take part,” explained Dr Suryawanshi.

 

“Players who will perform at same qualifying standard only will get the district certificates,” he informed.