A 56-member squad of boys and girls will represent Jharkhand in the 36th National Junior Athletics Championship to be held in Guwahati, Assam, between February 6 and February 10.
The state squad also includes Lucky Kumari, the Seraikela girl who emerged as the fastest sprinter (under-18 age group) at the east zone junior athletics meet held in Guwahati last month. “I am looking forward to repeating my performance in the junior meet. I am confident and working hard,” Lucky (16), a trainee of Tata Steel Athletics Training Centre in Jamshedpur, said
Jharkhand Athletics Association (JAA) has tried to give representation to almost all districts, keeping in mind that athletes were forced to sit idle for the most part of the year because of the pandemic. Their training schedule was also discontinued.
Track and field athletes from East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharsawan, Ranchi, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Hazaribagh, Deogarh, Sahebganj, Gumla, Koderma, Giridih and Lohardaga have found place in the state squad. Cadets of Jharkhand State Sports Promotion Society (JSSPS) have also been selected.
The state association has planned a camp in Ranchi later this month. “A training camp is essential for keeping our athletes in good shape in the lead up to the Guwahati championship. A good number of our athletes have claimed medals in national-level competitions and we want them to achieve more success. We will announce the dates of the camp in due course of time,” a JAA official said.
“We are optimistic about a good show from our athletes who helped Jharkhand finish runners-up in the zonal junior meet. The athletes are fit and keen to display their prowess in Guwahati, an official said.
According to him, the selected athletes will have to take along their RTPCR test reports with them in Guwahati. The athletes will also have to carry their date of birth certificates and address proof documents. “The original copy of RTPCR test report will be verified at the competition venue. All Covid-related precautions are being taken,” said JAA secretary CD Singh.
Sanjay Ghosh and Shailesh Verma will accompany the boys and girls to Guwahati as coach and manager, respectively. The team will be assembled in Ranchi before leaving for Guwahati.
