WARANGAL: The silver jubilee edition of the junior National

17/11/09

Sporty India Updated

WARANGAL: The silver jubilee edition of the junior National athletics championships, set to unfold at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Hanamkonda, is not short on enthusiasm if one takes a cursory look at the venue waiting in readiness to host the event.

This is for the first time that this historic town, renowned for its famed Thousand Pillar Temple dating back to the medieval era and synonymous with the Kakatiya kings, is staging a spectacle of this magnitude.

Against such a backdrop the venue presents a picture of modernity. A metal mesh separates the competition area from the galleries and spectators. The starting blocks and lane markings glisten with fresh paint.
The hammer throw ring is hemmed in by a protective nylon net, while the jump pits resemble freshly baked cakes, with the sand leveled to near- perfection. Imported foam pits lie waiting to be unpacked.

An elaborate security detail is in place too, with rifle-toting policemen clad in safaris or fatigues checking out the venue, assisted by sniffer dogs.
Tight schedule
What could adversely affect the meet is the scheduling of the School Games Nationals at Amritsar from November 23, barely two days after completion of this championship.

That leaves little time for competitors to get there and quite understandably, the lower age group competitions have reduced entries here. About 1700 athletes, several of them internationals, representing 27 states will be in the fray.
A 300-strong team of officials are here to oversee the conduct.
A meeting of officials on the eve of the meet stressed on punctuality and time limits for participants to report for their respective events, failing which stringent penalties are in store for defaulters. One hopes such discipline will be enforced in letter and spirit.