Kids at the Mathematics Olympiad. Pix: Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, Nov. 12: Good news is in store for math lovers. The Mathematics Olympiad held in the city by Sai Samarpan, an NGO, would go national next year.

Held today for students between Classes I and XII, the event saw nearly 2,000 participants from 32 schools.

“The Olympiad is held to increase the interest of children in the subject,” said Rakesh Kumar, general secretary, Sai Samarpan.

Being held since 1999 in Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the olympiad would be organised nation-wide from next year. Prize money of Rs 6,000, Rs 3,600 and Rs 2,400 is given to the top three contestants and 551 others get consolation prizes.

“Last time I got a consolation prize. This time, I am determined to get a prize in the top three slots,” said Rishabh Pandey, a Class IX student of Loyola School. Rishab’s school and DPS had shared the first prize last year.