Over 500 athletes to take part in National Athletics in Warangal
Warangal: The Rs 7.50 crore newly-laid 400-m eight-lane synthetic track, complying fully with the requirements of the International Association of Athletics Federation, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JNS) in Hanamkonda, helped Telangana be selected for hosting the 60th National Open Athletics Championships (NOAC) beginning today, according to Athletics Association District president Errabelli Varada Rajeshwar Rao. […]
Warangal: The Rs 7.50 crore newly-laid 400-m eight-lane synthetic track, complying fully with the requirements of the International Association of Athletics Federation, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JNS) in Hanamkonda, helped Telangana be selected for hosting the 60th National Open Athletics Championships (NOAC) beginning today, according to Athletics Association District president Errabelli Varada Rajeshwar Rao.
“Though we conducted the 25th National Junior Athletics Championships in the same venue in 2009, conducting NOAC is the biggest achievement and also a challenge for us. We must understand that such a big event was not conducted even in united Andhra Pradesh. We achieved this feat due to the coordinated efforts of the Telangana Athletics Association, minister Errabelli Dayakar Rao and the district administration,” Rajeshwara Rao said, adding that they had tried to get the funds sanctioned from the Centre for the synthetic track, which is a must to conduct the NOAC, for the last six-and-a-half years.
Expressing similar views, noted athletics coach and Dronacharya awardee Nagapuri Ramesh said: “I feel very proud that my home town, Warangal, will be hosting such a big event which would remain in the annals of history. Warangal is famous for its historical places like Fort Warangal and Thousand Pillar Temple, and now, I hope, it will now emerge as a sports hub too.”
Speaking about the Telangana government’s efforts to encourage sports talent, Warangal West MLA and chairman of Organising Committee of the NOAC-2021, Dasyam Vinay Bhaskar said the State government under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao was according high priority to sports.
“Construction of the synthetic track at the JNS will surely help local talent a lot in the future. We can organise some more national-level events in the future,” he added.
Warangal Police Commissioner and executive president of the Organising Committee Dr Tarun Joshi said that they had made all the security arrangements and were following Covid-19 protocol. He appealed to the people to come and enjoy this national athletic event.
A total of 40 sports lovers have been appointed as volunteers to help the organising committee. “We have also made a special campaign to publicise the event by conducting cycle rally and flash mob events besides setting up seven big LED screens at important public gathering places in the city,” Joshi said, adding that accommodation for the athletes was made according to their choice, while accommodation for the officials was made by the organising committee.
Rajeshwar Rao said the Kakatiya Urban Development Authority (KUDA) and Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation (GWMC) also helped by improving basic amenities including the construction of CC roads and others works at the stadium. Meanwhile, Telangana Athletics Association General Secretary K Sarangapani said: “We must thank Vinod Kumar, former IAS officer B Papa Rao and ‘Khelo India’ Director Chandrashekhar Rao for their efforts in getting the track sanctioned under the ‘Khelo India’ initiative.
The construction was completed in July this year, while it was sanctioned in September 2018. The track has eight lanes for a 400-metre run and 10 lanes for a 100-metre sprint. A special drainage facility has been provided to prevent waterlogging on the track. The District Collector sanctioned Rs 91 lakh for other works like painting the stands.”
“As Warangalites, we are very much delighted that a national-level sports event is going to be held in this city,” said Dr Pingili Ramesh Reddy, former Professor of Physical Education Department, Kakatiya Institute of Technology and Science (KITS), Warangal. The National Cross Country Championships (2003 and 2019), South Zone Nationals in 2006 and Third Youth under 18 years Boys and Girls National Championships in 2006 were also conducted at the JNS in the past.
Also read: National Athletics Championships in Warangal from Sept 15
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