SAAF officials and others addressing press conference in Kohima on March 25. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 25
The stage is all set for South Asian Athletic Federation (SAAF) Cross Country Championships and 56th National Cross Country championships in Kohima on March 26.
Five countries have already arrived for this championship so far, said Abu Metha, Associate Vice President of Athletics Federation of India and president Nagaland Athletics Association
The championship will be held under the aegis of SAAF and Athletics Federation of India in consultation with Government of Nagaland.
The event will be flagged off at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima at 7:00 am.
Addressing a press conference here at Hotel Vivor, Athletics Federation of India president Adile J Surmiwala in the presence of SAAF President Dr Lalit K Bhanot and Associate Vice President Athletics said North East India has a tremendous amount of sporting talents and expressed gratitude to Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Associate VP of AFI, Abu Metha for the way the event is being organized.
“We are trying to do talent identification here and provide high-performance coaches to train the Nagaland team,” he said.
He emphasized the need to create a full sports ecosystem with proper infrastructure, coaches, athletes, officials etc.
He said that close to 50 athletes will take part in the international section. At the national level, 34 states and boards are participating with 378 men and 296 women and 674 athletes in total.
Dr Lalit Bhanot said the event is the second edition of SAAF event, and the first one was held in Bhutan.
Metha said that the state government is giving tremendous efforts to improve sports infrastructure in Nagaland. He said the actual budget for the event was Rs 4.6 crore and the state government has sanctioned Rs 2.3 crore for this event while the Bank of Baroda has invested Rs 18 lakh.
SAAF Cross Country races is for Men (10 Km), women (10 Km). U-20 Boys (8 km) and U-20 Girls (6 Km)
Categories for National Cross- Country races: Men- 10 km, Under-20 Boys- 8 Km, U- 16- 6 Km. Women- 10 Km, U-20 Girls- 6 Km, Under 18 Girls- 4 Km and Under 16 Girls 2 Km.
Ahead of the championship, Nagaland Governor Jagdish Mukhi hosted a musical event and dinner in honour of the delegates at Raj Bhavan Kohima.
Meanwhile, grand finale will be hosted by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Convenor, Organising Committee, & president, Nagaland Olympic Association on March 26 at Kohima Cultural Hall at 6:30 pm.
Tentative Timetable
Start of Under 18 boys (6 km): 7:00 am
Start of Under 18 girls (4 km): 7:40 am
Start of Under 16 boys (2 km): 8:15 am
Start of Under 16 girls (2 km): 8:30 am
Start of Under 20 BOYS (8 KM) SAAF and National: 8:50 am
Medal Ceremony-Under 18 BOYS: 9:00 am
Medal Ceremony-Under 18 GIRLS: 9:10 am
Medal Ceremony-Under 16 BOYS: 9:20 am
Medal Ceremony-Under 16 GIRLS: 9:30 am
Start of Under 20 GIRLS (6 KM) SAAF and National: 9:40 am
Medal Ceremony-Under 20 BOYS: 9:50 am
Medal Ceremony- SAAF- Under 20 BOYS: 10:00 am
Start of Men (10 KM) SAAF & National: 10:40 am
Medal Ceremony -Under 20 GIRLS: 10:50 am
Medal Ceremony- SAAF - Under 20 GIRLS: 11:00 am
Start of Women (10 KM) SAAF & National: 11:30 am
Medal Ceremony -National- Men: 11:40 am
Medal Ceremony -National- Women: 12:30 pm
Medal Ceremony- SAAF-Men: 12:40 pm
Medal Ceremony- SAAF-Women: 12:50 pm
Team Championships Medal Ceremony
Men’s National: 1:00 pm
Women’s National: 1:10 pm
Under 20 Boys National: 1:20 pm
Under 20 Girls National: 1:30 pm
Men’s SAAF: 1:40 pm
Women’s SAAF: 1:50 pm
Under 20 Boys SAAF: 2:00 pm
Under 20 Girls SAAF: 2:10 pm
