The Hindu : Sport / Athletics : Asian championships in Beirut called off

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Friday, Jun 08, 2007
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Sport - Athletics

Asian championships in Beirut called off

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Asian Athletics Association (AAA) has called off the Asian championships scheduled to be held in Beirut from July 29 to August 2 because of the prevailing situation in Lebanon.

The AAA has been informed that the Lebanese Government was not in a position to give "guarantee" for the security of all the participants because of the situation in that country with the army engaged in fighting militants at least on two fronts.

Following this, after consultations between the AAA President Suresh Kalmadi and Secretary-Treasurer Maurice Nicholas in Singapore, it was decided to drop Beirut as the venue.

Ever since fighting broke out in Lebanon, the AAA had been keeping a close watch over developments with many constituent units enquiring about the fate of the championships.

The AAA is looking into the possibility of roping in a host for the Asian meet at short notice. Already, Qatar, Japan and China had been sounded about bailing out the regional body from a difficult situation.

There is very little room for manoeuvring the schedule since the World championships are slated to be held in Osaka from August 25 to September 2.

An Asian meet after the World championships will lose much of the relevance.

India could have been a possible last-minute destination had there been a ready sponsor and a city with adequate hotel accommodation available. Still, the search could be on during the next few days to find any possible venue.

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