Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has allotted the big-ticket eighth nationwide open and 4th worldwide race strolling championship to Jharkhand Athletics Association to be held in Ranchi on February 13 and 14, 2021, JAA officers introduced on Saturday.
JAA joint treasurer Sashank Singh mentioned the occasion was important as a result of AFI would choose athletes for the following Olympics based mostly on performances on the meet. Ranchi first hosted this event in February this 12 months in Morabadi, throughout which Bhawana Jat was the lone candidate to e book her place for the Olympics.
“There is a place for total of four athletes in men’s and women’s categories. So, three more players have to be picked,” mentioned Singh, including that about 280 Indian and over 30 abroad athletes, moreover delegates and jurists, have been anticipated to participate within the event.
Singh mentioned AFI selected Ranchi over different venues due to its climate and he services on the Morabadi venue. “The walking trail used in the first edition in Morabadi suited all participants and everyone liked the weather conditions here. Hence, we have been given a second chance to host this tournament. “We hope by February, the Covid-19 situation will gradually subside,” he mentioned, including that they’d nonetheless put in place a bunch of Covid security norms in accordance with authorities and AFI tips.
The meet will likely be held in three classes — 50km males, 20km Olympic qualifying for women and men and under-20 males and feminine 10km for Asian championship qualification.
Jharkhand doesn’t have sufficient athletes on this self-discipline, besides a handful from Ramgarh. JAA officers mentioned it was as a consequence of lack of correct teaching services, however expressed the hope that with successive internet hosting of such occasions, it might achieve recognition within the state.
“In our first edition, only two players—Kundan Kumar and Aman Kumar of Ramgarh and Ranchi respectively _ took part. Kundan won bronze and he has now bagged a job in the Army. In Ramgarh, the army cantonment board there has a coach for this discipline,” mentioned Singh.
