The Hindu : Sport / Athletics : Last chance for Asian meet hopefuls

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 28, 2007
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Sport - Athletics

Last chance for Asian meet hopefuls

Special Correspondent

PUNE: Every year the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) keeps adding a meet or two to the domestic calendar in order to provide the athletes with more and more chances to improve upon their performances.

This year, the Combined Events National, starting here on Thursday, is being clubbed with the inaugural National jumps competition. The two-day meet will also see, as an adjunct on the concluding day, competitions in all the middle and long distance events, something that Belarus coach Nikolai Snesarev has sought in order to pick the best two for the Asian championships in Amman, Jordan, less than a month away.

Unfortunately, the Combined Events National has not attracted the best in the country always. J. J. Shobha, national record holder in heptathlon, who missed the first two editions in Chennai and Delhi, will be missing this one, too. Shobha left the camp in Patiala recently following her father’s death and has not rejoined.

She looks unlikely to be ready for the Asian championships.

Stage set for Susmita

The stage thus looks set for young Susmita Singha Roy to dominate. Unjustifiably dropped from the Doha Asian Games squad through a stage-managed trial from which Shobha qualified, Susmita was reportedly so disheartened at one stage that it is a surprise that she is back in the business. It is another matter that the Bengal girl has not lived up to potential.

Her lack of expertise in throws, especially in javelin, makes her vulnerable on the second day. Maybe, this competition might just provide her with a platform to re-establish herself.

The decathletes have also failed to live up to promise. P.J. Vinod, the talented Kerala youngster, managed to compile only 7295 for the sixth place in Doha. Jora Singh, who set a national record of 7502 in Delhi last season has not been heard much after that.

The jumps have stagnated barring triple jump where Renjith Maheswary showed world-class form in Guwahati by crossing 17 metres. He is not expected to take part in this competition and this should provide an opportunity to Bibu Mathew and Alex Thomas to show their prowess.

Below standard

The male long jumpers, after much promise in the run-up to the Asian Games, faded out completely. The pole vaulters are far below even Asian standards, but Hari Sankar Roy, though below potential in the Asian GP circuit, has the technique and determination to go up.

Among women, Anju George’s quest for a qualifying mark for the World championships will be resumed. She might have better competition in this meet if Pramila Aiyappa competes.

The middle and long distance runners, the most improved among the track competitors during the past year, look set to crack a few national records during the trials.

Armyman Surender Singh could be gunning for Hari Chand’s fabled mark of 1976 vintage, 28:48.72 in the 10,000 metres, according to coaches. He had timed 28:57.90 in the Federation Cup in Kolkata last month.

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