Jharkhand will host the fifth international and ninth national open race walking championship in Ranchi in February next year.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Jharkhand Athletics Association (JAA) which added that all mandatory clearances for hosting the prestigious event has been sought and ground works for the same have commenced. The meet assumes importance as it will pave way for selection of players for next year’s Asian and Commonwealth Games, said officials.

Speaking over phone, JAA president Madhukant Pathak said that the two-day event for male and female athletes will begin from February 5. “Internationally famed long jumper and world athletics’ women of the year awardee Anju Bobby George will be the special guest for the event,” said Pathak.

Anju Bobby George File Picture

Ranchi first hosted this tournament in February 2020 in Morabadi in which Bhawana Jat was the lone candidate to book her place for the Tokyo Olympics. Again in 2021 February, it bagged an opportunity to organise the event in which three athletes had sealed their place for the same Olympics.

Pathak added that the tournament would be held in strict adherence to Covid guidelines prescribed by the government and Athletics Federation of India. On Bobby’s visit, he said, “Her presence will be a great boost to local athletes who can score an opportunity to interact with her to learn sporting tips.”

The official maintained that about 300 athletes from India and outside will be participating in the championship. “We just hope that the Omicron scare doesn’t aggravate further," he said.

JAA officials maintained that it was a moment of pride for Ranchi to be hosting the event for the third time. “Ranchi is getting preference over venues because of its weather and facilities in Morabadi venue. In the past two meets, our walking trail in Morabadi was appreciated by all athletes,” Pathak elaborated.