Sport - Athletics   

National championship from today

By Avinash Nair

BANGALORE Sept. 27. The three day 43rd National Open athletic championship, commencing at the Sree Kanteerava stadium from Sunday, which is expected to showcase the best of the Indian prospects could well turn out to be a damp squib.

The championship, organised by the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL), being the selection trial for the Afro Asian Games later in October, should be the ideal platform for the fringe athletes to hit the limelight. Nearly 800 athletes from 26 units will vie for honours in 44 events.

The event will be shorn of big names. Anju George after her efforts at the World Championship is focussed on the Afro Asian Games. Bobby Aloysious and Beenamol among women and Anil Kumar and Sanjay Ghosh will also be missing out on health and other reasons.

Services once again may lead the way with a host of stars among men. Satvir and Anil Kumar Rohil in the one-lap event and Lawrence and Alex in the high jump bear watching. Selvaraj Roberts, the former National sprint champion and now the Services coach, has pinned a lot of hope on the two Kulvinder Singh's - in the 110 metres hurdles and the decathlon. "They should come out with a few surprises,'' he said.

The Police and All India Electricity Sports Control Board (AIESCB) too have a few in their ranks who could cause a ripple in both the men and women's section.

The women's section is set to be dominated by the Railway athletes once again and Beenamol's absence should in no way tilt the balance. Police with a host of athletes from CRPF should pose a decently stiff challenge though.

G.G. Pramila (nee Aiyappa) return's to the domestic scene after a long hiatus, marriage and knee surgery, and will participate in the long jump event on the final day. That Anju will not be there to provide the old rivalry is unfortunate but Pramila will have more than enough on her hands from the likes of heptathlete Soma Biswas and a `natural' Ruta Patkar, who is believed to have joined Tata Steels and will be donning Jharkhand colours.

The field events should provide some interesting tussles with Neelam J. Singh leading the way in the women's section. There is all likelihood of some close calls in the men's middle distance and throw events.

The venue however needs a look-in. While the long jump run-up is abysmal, the air bubbles in track one and two at the curves could prove to be a deterrent.

Mr. Veerakumar A. Patil, MLC and chairman KPTCL, will inaugurate the championship on Sunday at 10 a.m. while Suresh Kalmadi, President IOA and AAFI, will distribute the prizes on the final day. Anju George will be felicitated by the organisers on the final day.

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