World 10K race runs into trouble

Event fails to get AFI recognition

“The Sunfeast 10K race is not an AFI recognised event,” AFI secretary Lalit Bhanot told Deccan Herald. “We have not given permission for the event and we will be writing to State associations not to allow their athletes to take part in the race,”said Bhanot.

AFI’s move is a big blow to organisers –– Procam International –– who have been working hard to make the third edition of the event a success. Procam had already announced the participation of a clutch of elite athletes for the race and has roped in support from the Karnataka government for the event.

“We will be writing to Karnataka Athletic Association and also to the State Government making our stand clear,” said Bhanot. The AFI secretary said the reason for not clearing the event was that it cut into the AFI competition calendar. “Our competition period is on now and this is an important season for us, with the Commonwealth Games coming up.
“If the athletes get lured by money and get injured in the race, their whole season is spoilt,” he said.

Procam sources, meanwhile, said they had written to AFI seeking permission but had received no response.
“We have followed all the rules; in fact, we got the IAAF Gold Label only after two editions of the event because it was conducted properly, in accordance with all the rules,” sources said.

The AFI, at its AGM earlier this year, had unveiled plans to have open bids for the road races. “We want to give other prospective organisers a chance to conduct races as well,” said Bhanot.
DH News Service