KOLKATA: The fresh edition of the Federation Cup athletics will be missing a few prominent names as they dropped out on the eve of the premier event on Wednesday.

In the absence of any immediate international assignment, the stars seem intent on giving themselves a breather.

J.J. Sobha, the national record holder in heptathlon, is not participating in her pet event. "I have not taken any preparations for that," said the Andhra Pradesh athlete, who had decided to participate in 100m hurdles and long jump events, instead. "I will be start working on that ahead of the Asian championship (at Lebanon in July)," she added.

The field is open in long jump, as India's best long jumper, Anju Bobby George, has apparently decided to skip. The Tamil Nadu contingent had no communication from Anju, though the official entry list contained her name.

Open contest

Sobha's absence in heptathlon has opened the contest, with the likelihood of a keen fight between the local favourite Susmita Singha Roy and V. Leelavathy of Tamil Nadu.

The Asian champion and National record holder in women's 400m, Manjit Kaur too did not betray the keenness expected ahead of such an important meet.

"I am having a back problem and would not like to go all out in the meet," she said. The Punjab Police quarter-miler said that she had the injury during the high altitude training in South Africa last month.

"I am preparing for the Olympics (at Beijing in 2008) and would prefer to peak at the Asian championships two months later," Manjit said.

The organisers, keeping in mind the hot and humid condition prevailing in the city, have decided to split the competition in two sessions — morning and evening. The participants are, however, unhappy that the event is in the off-season.

Roy favourite

The men's section too will be missing a battle of the stars in high jump where Bengal's Hari Shankar Roy is now the favourite after his closest rival Benedict Starly of Tamil Nadu decided to skip the meet. While Roy is the current National record holder, Starly has the meet record to his name.

The Services presence is going to be significant in many events, especially in the contest for the fastest man of the meet. In the absence of National record-holder Anil Kumar, Sameer Mon of Army is the favourite in the event. He is expected to carry his form that won him the gold in the Indian Grand Prix at Patiala last week.

Mon is going be challenged by Vilas Nilagund of Karnataka and former champion Sandeep Sarkaria of ONGC, who has put in good performances of late.

Good form

In 400m, the National record-holder K.M. Binu of Kerala is likely to continue his good form. This event is expected to be closely contested with the likes of Sarish Paul of Services and the junior record-holder Virendra Kumar Pankaj of Uttar Pradesh coming up as serious contenders for the title.

Lot has been happening in the field of training and exposure. With foreign coaches, training camps abroad and regular participation in foreign events giving the athletes the desired impetus, it remains to be seen how much of it is reflected in the competition.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail