Three sports officials from Jharkhand have made it to the national panel of announcers of Athletics Federation of India (AFI).

Shyam Kumar Sharma (Jamshedpur), Biswajit Patra and Md Farid (from Bokaro) took part in two virtual training workshops organised by AFI in July and August which was consequently followed by a screening test of a few candidates.

Sharma, Patra and Farid cleared the screening test and were subsequently inducted in the AFI’s panel of announcers. The trio will be on duty (as announcers) in national and international athletics competitions.

“I received the news about my selection late night on Thursday. I am glad to be part of the national panel. I have been working as an announcer in the district and state-level events and am now looking forward to a stint in national competitions,” said Sharma, who is convenor of district sports cell and selection panel of East Singhbhum District Athletics Association (ESDAA).

Shyam Kumar Sharma. Bhola Prasad

The training workshops were followed by seminars addressed by expert announcers from India who also shared their experience and how to go about with the job, he informed. They also shed light on the changes that have taken place in global athletics and also about new techniques.

“My knowledge has been enriched after attending the seminars. I feel proud to get an entry to the AFI’s panel of announcers. I would try and do a good job,” added Sharma, who is also a sports teacher in a government school.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) treasurer and president of Jharkhand Athletics Association (JAA) M.K. Pathak, state association secretary C.D. Singh, athletics coach Arvind Kumar, former East Singhbhum district sports officer MM Prasad and Anita Kerketta, present incumbent Budan Pahan and ESDAA president M.N Purty have congratulated Sharma on his success.

Sharma is in the field of sports for several years now. He plays a vital role in conducting sports competitions organised under the banner of the state sports department.