The players of Madhya Pradesh State Athletics Academy brought laurels to the State by winning two gold medals, a silver medal and a bronze medal at the National School Championship.
It is to be noted that the academy was set up with an initiative taken by State Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare Department Yashodhara Raje Scindia. It was the first time when the players of the academy bagged medals exhibiting a wondrous performance.
The 63rd School National Athletics Competition was held at the SION Center (Sports Authority of India), Bhopal. Academy player Sarabjit Patel broke the record of National School in 5000 meter walk of 22 minutes and 6 seconds by completing it in 21:36: 80 minutes on foot. For his historic performance he won a gold medal.
Similarly, Iqram Ali Khan also won a gold medal by throwing a flywheel 54.46 meters in the discus throw event. Academy player lokendra Singh completed 3000 meters race in 9: 5: 69 minutes and won a silver medal.
This is the first time that at the National Athletics Championships, Academy players won the medal, not only did the state proud, but also achieved the objective of athletics academy. Prior to this, the academy has won two silver and one bronze medal in three national athletics events.
Further, the players also won 10 gold medals, 5 silver medals and 9 bronze medals in the West Zone Competition held in Nagpur in October 2017. The players are trained by Chief Coach K. Prasad, Trainer Amit Gautam, Virendra Singh.