The Hindu : Sport / Athletics : Junior National from today

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 25, 2005

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Sport - Athletics

Junior National from today

Special Correspondent

Chennai: The Junior National athletics championship is to serve as the starting block in establishing a full-fledged institute of sports conforming to all the parameters of international recongition. This was stated by chairman and chancellor of SRM Group of Institutions, T.R. Pachamathu, on Wednesday.

At a media briefing on the eve of the 21st edition of the National junior meet, for which SRM Institute of Science and Technology is the principal sponsor, Mr. Pachamuthu outlined the role of SRM in promoting quality education in arts, science, technology, medical, mass communication, and catering, and added that before long sport would get the academic attention it deserved. He said the support of Rs. 25 lakhs for the junior meet was part of a larger programme that was being worked out.

Emphasising the importance of sport in enhancing the image of the country, Mr. Pachamuthu was confident that given the right training and encouragement India would bag a medal or two in the Olympics and world level events. He also offered to provide scholarships and financial support to the champion athletes merging in the National meet to be held for five days, starting on Friday.

Earlier, Mr. Walter Davaram, president Tamil Nadu Athletics Association, confirmed that the stage was set for what he described as the most challenging sporting event involving over 2,500 competitors in various age groups. For the first time, a special starting gun which emits a flash and a beep instead of the conventional sound will be used. Also in operation will be the IAAF Measurement verification kit to ensure that the implements conform to the specifications for different age groups.

Promising stars like Kerala's Renjith, Delhi's Saurav Vij, Bengal's Jhuma Khanum and Tamil Nadu's Revathy are in the fray prompting hope of record breaking performances.

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