Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has allotted the big-ticket 8th national open and 4th international race walking championship to Jharkhand Athletics Association to be held in Ranchi on February 13 and 14, 2021, JAA officials announced on Saturday.

JAA joint treasurer Sashank Singh said the event was significant because AFI would pick athletes for the next Olympics based on performances at the meet. Ranchi first hosted this tournament in February this year in Morabadi, during which Bhawana Jat was the lone candidate to book her place for the Olympics.

“There is a place for total of four athletes in men’s and women’s categories. So, three more players have to be picked,” said Singh, adding that about 280 Indian and over 30 overseas athletes, besides delegates and jurists, were expected to take part in the tournament.

Singh said AFI chose Ranchi over other venues because of its weather and he facilities at the Morabadi venue. “The walking trail used in the first edition in Morabadi suited all participants and everyone liked the weather conditions here. Hence, we have been given a second chance to host this tournament. “We hope by February, the Covid-19 situation will gradually subside,” he said, adding that they would still put in place a host of Covid safety norms in accordance with government and AFI guidelines.

The meet will be held in three categories — 50km men, 20km Olympic qualifying for men and women and under-20 men and female 10km for Asian championship qualification.

Jharkhand doesn’t have enough athletes in this discipline, except a handful from Ramgarh. JAA officials said it was due to lack of proper coaching facilities, but expressed the hope that with successive hosting of such events, it would gain popularity in the state.

“In our first edition, only two players—Kundan Kumar and Aman Kumar of Ramgarh and Ranchi respectively _ took part. Kundan won bronze and he has now bagged a job in the Army. In Ramgarh, the army cantonment board there has a coach for this discipline,” said Singh.