JOIN USBig names set to hit track
It is not the best time to have an athletics event of this stature. But then, time, very often, is a matter of convenience in Indian sport and as such, complaints will have to be kept aside for the time being as the track and field season kicks in early with the 35th National Games.
In the middle of their off-season training, athletes will find it tough to be at their best in the five-day programme beginning on Monday here at the University Stadium.
Various compulsions, including incentives from state governments, have brought them here but there won’t be any shortage of encouragement for them in what is basically a cradle of Indian athletics.
Many a champion performer has risen from here to make a mark on the international stage. A clutch of them will be in action to inspire the younger lot as well as bring more laurels for their state, vying with the best from around the country.
Despite the poor timing of the event, most of the leading lights of the country have assembled here but in what form they are will be known over the course of the next five days. The pressure to do well weighs heavily on the host athletes and they do have some top quality athletes to reap a rich haul.
Preeja Sreedharan and O P Jaisha in distance events, Tintu Luka and Sini A Markose in middle distance, P Kunhumohammad in 400, Sajeesh Joseph in the 800, Renjith Maheswary in triple jump, Joseph Abraham in the 400M hurdles and M A Prajusha in the jumps are all proven performers, capable of raising the bar again.
Of course, they will have worthy challengers from around the country, setting the stage for some interesting duels.
Services man Arokiarajiv in the men’s 400M, Punjab man Arpinder Singh in men’s triple jump and Haryana’s Sushma Devi in the women’s 800 will have their own plans to upset the Kerala designs, and that might just lit up the competition here.
The decision of M R Poovamma and Ashwini Akkunji to run only the relays has upset the Karnataka plans of a good haul here. Injury concerns apart, their presence will however strengthen the chances in the relays.
Sahana Kumari in women’s high jump is another big hope and the national record holder will also attempt a double here by making her debut in heptathlon, which should make for interesting viewing. H M Jyothi leads the Karnataka gold quest in sprints but the likes of Tamil Nadu’s Sharadha Narayana will offer her stiff competition.
An old Karnataka warhorse will be staging a return here, though in Telangana colours. J J Shobha, the heptathlon champion who went the family way, had turned out for Andhra Pradesh also in the past but this time, the mother of two girls will be competing in the shot put, hoping to strike a medal for the new state.
Dutee in spotlight
The presence of Dutee Chand will spice up the sprints. Odisha’s Dutee, who was suspended for hyperandrogenism before the Court of Arbitration for Sport cleared her participation in domestic meets pending a final hearing, is entered in 100 and 200M.
Her case had attracted worldwide attention and is to come up for hearing from March 23 to 26 at the Lausanne court.
e