Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium at the Hotwar mega sports complex will be abuzz with sporting action as the two-day Inter District Senior Athletics Championship-2017 kicks off in Ranchi from Friday.
The event is important for athletes as based on their performance here, a state squad would be formed to take part in the 57th National Inter-State Athletics Championship-2017, scheduled to be held at Guntur in Andhra Pradesh from July 15-18. Those who do well in the Andhra meet will get a chance to represent the country in the IAAF World Championship, scheduled to be held in London from August 4-13.
Ranchi District Athletics Association secretary Prabhakar Kumar Verma said around 250 athletes from across 24 districts would be taking part in the Hotwar meet which will host 18 track and field events. Teams from districts have already started arriving.
"Boarding and lodging has been arranged at the sports hostel at the mega sports complex," he said, adding that it was a matter of pride for them to host the district meet in Ranchi.
CEO of Jharkhand State Sports Promotion Society (JSSPS) Alok Kumar and chief administrative officer Vikrant Malhan would be inaugurating the tournament.
"For the seniors' national meet, each state can send entries in maximum three events, the reason it becomes even more important to choose the best sportspersons to compete at the national level. Soon after out meet, we will be sending entries for the Guntur meet," Verma said.
Jharkhand put up a good show at the recent 15th Federation Cup athletics championship in Lucknow where Mandar girl Priyanka Kerketta set a new record of 6.30m in long jump. She was adjudged as the best athlete of the meet.
Besides, Jharkhand also bagged five more medals comprising one gold, three silver and one bronze in various categories of track and field events. "State players are doing a lot better in different tournaments and we are hopeful of continuing our show at the Guntur meet as well," Verma said.
Subroto Cup
The state sports department on Thursday notified dates for block and district-level matches of Subroto Cup Football 2017-18, the matches for which would be held in three categories: sub-junior (under-14) boys, junior (under -17) boys and junior (under-17) girls.
"Block level matches should be held between June 26 and 29 across the state and district level matches have been scheduled between July 6 and 8. Divisional level matches will be held between July 13 and 16 in Ranchi, Bokaro, Chaibasa, Latehar and Sahebganj," said sports director Ranendra Kumar.
Another tournament would be held between July 18 and 23 to finalise teams for state level meets, scheduled on July 25-28 in Gumla.
"The winner will be sent for the national level Subroto Cup matches. We have also decided to hold a 15-day special camp," he said.
