We have a good chance in Olympic Mixed Relay: Sumariwalla

GUWAHATI: The president of the Athletics Federation of India Adille J Sumariwalla is now in Guwahati to attend the ongoing National Junior Athletics Championship. In a conversation with the local media after the opening function today he shared his views on different issues. Here is the excerpt.

On hosting first full-fledged national meet after post-pandemic.

Sumariwalla: Assam was the first state in the country that started post-COVID Sports meet for the local athletes. Other states followed them later. We were trying our best to start the national championship after the COVID-19 pandemic because we didn't want to deprive the young athletes of the country of International meets, scholarships, jobs, etc. Nice to see Assam has come forward to host the national championship.

 Ongoing activities of the Athletics Federation of India.

Sumariwalla: We are working to take the game to the next level and have already chalked out a two-pronged strategy. Grassroots-level development is the major one. At the same time, we are paying equal attention to the development of elite athletes by arranging ultra-modern training facilities in association with SAI and the Sports department.

 On grassroots-level development.

Sumariwalla: We are the only Federation of India that conducts an Inter-District Athletics meet every year. At present we have 503 affiliated districts and have altogether 4,300 athletes in U-14 and U-17 categories. A major thrust has been given to produce more and more quality coaches as we have lost several athletes earlier because of overtraining which occurred due to a lack of knowledgeable coaches.

On age fraud.

Sumariwalla: It's a very important issue which the Athletics Federation of India is trying to solve with strict rules. We are doing age verification of each and every athlete in the best possible way and providing them biometric cards.

On Assam girl Hima Das.

Sumariwalla: The girl has returned to the track and doing well.

On the chances of Indian Athletes in coming Olympics

Sumariwalla: Postponement of the Olympics because of COVID-19 was a blessing in disguise for us. A few athletes, including Neeraj Chopra, got a good time recovering from injury. I believe we have a very good chance in the Mixed Relay event in the coming Olympics.

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