Responding to the call given by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) the Jharkhand Athletics Association (JAA) has invited marathon runners from different parts of the State for a selection trial.
The shortlisted sports persons after rigorous selection process would finally be eligible for admission in ‘National Athletics in Middle and long Distance Academy’. The JAA has sent urgent missives to all its districts associations to come up for the trial camp to be held in Ranchi on August 21-22 with long distance athletes from their areas. The trial would for three categories — 3000, 5000 and 10,000 meters for the sports persons figuring in the age group of 16 to 23.
Five member selection panel would judge the runners based on their age and also time taken to complete the distance. The selected athletes would be sent first to Kolkata for regional level trial. About 160 athletes would meet in Delhi in October and finally 10-12 players would qualify for admission under the ‘Indian Elite Athlete Excellence Programme’ in the Academy; being set up at Bhopal. The Government of India is also in the process of setting up similar academies for sprinters and jumpers at Thiruvananthapuram and for footballers in Kalicut and Kolkata.
Districts such as Godda, Gumla, Simdega, Dumka, Saraikela etc are considered warehouses of athletic talents but lurching in the want of training facility or exposure at State or national levels. The initiative many prove handy keeping in mind the next Olympic and events such as half marathons.
“The project is not for short terms gains. It may start producing desired results in 4-5 years to come. It is a joint effort of the SAI and the Federation that is aimed to improve athletics in Jharkhand,” said Madhukant Pathak, JAA president and one of the members of the selection panel. SAI Athletic coaches AK Sahu and Binod Singh besides Kameshwar Ravidas are the other members.