West Bengal and Jharkhand teams are our strongest contenders,” say the eight participating teams of 25th East Zone Athletics Championships at Mega Sports Complex in Hotwar which is to conclude on Monday. According to these athletes, it is the strength of these two teams comprising best of the players which makes them lead almost all the events of this zonal tournament.
As many as 130 and 150 athletes are performing from West Bengal and Jharkhand respectively. Both these teams, stuck first and second positions followed by Odisha and Bihar on the third and fourth rank. “Tracks of Athletics stadium are far developed and maintained than our State. It is this reason, deserving sportspersons here get apt environment for practicing. Such track maintenance has recently begun in Bihar,” said Under-18 genre athlete Sugandha from Bihar team.
Describing the achievement of West Bengal in leading the tally as always, West Bengal’s Under-18 group Farhena Parveen said, “Guardians are the only spectator in our Salt lake sports stadiums but the State Government along with local athletic associations puts every possible effort to enrich our athletic skills.”
Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya who are here with handful of players between eight to 15 numbers, are considered weak competitors. “We are here with third choice players as the best performers could not come because of their scheduled academic examinations and physical defects,” said Mizoram team Coach C lalroliana on why his team is failing to grab a rank among the top list.
Games events like long Jump, Triathlon, Runs, Hurdles, hammer, Shot Put, Triple Jump and Javelin were held on Sunday. Rally and Discuss events are scheduled today afternoon when State Art, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs Geetashree Oraon will attend the closing ceremony of this sports programme.