JOIN USTen budding athletes from Bengaluru will have a chance to rub shoulders with some of the brightest talent in the world when they compete in the International Children’s Games this week.
Into its 49th year, the Children’s Games will be held in Alkmaar, Netherlands from June 24-29. Though the Games feature nine different sporting disciplines, the Bengaluru contingent of 10 will only feature in the track and field event of the city-based competition.
They were selected after a week long trials conducted by the Bangalore School Sports Foundation (BSSF). While the BSSF has been providing a platform for the city kids to showcase their talent at the international stage in various disciplines, this will be the first time that a track and field team will be participating the meet.
Though the International Children’s Games has been recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the BSSF has found it difficult to raise funds for their endeavour. “We have been doing this or the past six years. And every year, we have asked for help. but nothing has ever happened. But now with the former athletes being involved in the framing of the sports policy, we hope next time things would change,” BSSF’s director Elvis Joseph said.
Away from the financial troubles, the children said they were well prepared for the challenge. “We have been training really hard for the past one month for this meet,” said Lisa Kariappa, a Class X student of Army Public School, who will be participating in the 100M and 4x100M relay. The team will leave for the Games on Tuesday.
DH News Service
Bengaluru team: Boys: Shervin Pinto (100M, 4x100M relay), Yashas Ravi (Long Jump, 4x100M relay), Rahul Raghu (High Jump, 4x100M relay), Manik Prabhu (100M, 4x100M relay), Babu Seenappa (1500M).
Girls: Andrea Pinto (100M, long jump, 4x100 relay), Aadya Madapanda (Shotput), Lochana Bopanna (High jump, 4x100M relay), Lisa Kariappa (100M, 4x100M relay), Tejaswini Girish (800M, 4x100M relay).