AFI Vice President Abu Metha during the interacting with the AIR personnel at Nagaland Olympic Association Office, Kohima on March 22. (DIPR Photo)
Kohima, March 22 (MExN): Dwelling on the significance of the South Asian Cross-Country Championships and 56th National Cross-Country Championships being held in Nagaland, Vice President, Athletics Federation of India (AFI) Abu Metha said that apart from promoting brand Nagaland, the event would develop, promote sports and give opportunities to the youths.
Interacting with the AIR personnel at Nagaland Olympic Association Office, Kohima on March 22, he informed that the athletes will be running different races of 2 Kms to 10 Kms and the main events will be held at Indira Gandhi Stadium, stated a DIPR report.
Metha informed that more than 800 athletes from all the states and Union Territories are participating; international athletes are coming from South East Asia, and highest level sports administrators are arriving so to accommodate the entire personnel the logistical exercise is enormous. “Despite of infrastructure problem, Kohima is ready to deliver one of the best South Asian athletic events,” he added. He also informed more than 20 athletes are in the Nagaland team and they will have the opportunity to perform well and get selected to represent India at international events.
The information of the event can be accessed through the link of the IT Department Nagaland, Athletic Federation of India Website. Nagaland Athletics Association has Instagram, Twitter and Facebook accounts.
The Nagaland Athletics Association officially handed over the uniforms to the Nagaland Team participating in the upcoming event on Sunday evening.
Handing out the uniforms designed by an in-house team, President of Nagaland Athletics Association & Associate vice-president of Athletics Federation of India (AFI), Abu Metha gave an illustration of how the athletes have earned the uniform.
Altogether 26 athletes from Nagaland will be taking part in the sporting event scheduled to be held at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima on March 26. They are currently being coached by a Head Coach and a High Performance Coach.
An Organising Committee has also been set up with CM of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio as the Convenor.
As Nagaland gears up for the biggest sporting event in the history of the State, South Asian countries including Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India have confirmed their participation making up for a total of 71 participants from the international team. A total number of 667 athletes from different states of India including 31 states and 3 boards will be part of the sporting event.
The event is scheduled to be held on March 26 at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima, Nagaland wherein both the international team and national team will arrive in Nagaland two days prior to the event on March 24 and 25 respectively.
