Covid surge forces to put of dist, State sr athletics meet

Nagpur, April 12

The surge in Covid-19 cases in entire Maharashtra has forced the organisers to postpone the district as well as senior athletics championship.

The district meet which was scheduled to be organised from April 15 has been postponed and similarly the state championship slated to be held at April end probably at Pune has also been postponed.

Both events were important as far as selection of Maharashtra team for the senior nationals to be held from June 25 to 29 is concerned.

The virtual meeting of Maharashtra Amateur Athletics Association was held two-days back in which the decision to put off both the events was taken.

Talking to LokmatTimes senior joint secretary of MAA Dr Sharad Suryavanshi said, " As corona situation has become complicated and the state government has prohibited all the sporting activities the decision was taken to postpone the events."

Dr Suryavanshi also said if the situation doesn't improve much, then only selection trials will be taken. And if even selection trials are not possible then the players will be selected on the basis of their performance in the recently held Federation Cup Athletics Championship and World University Games trials", he said.

About important national championship which is slated to be held in June end Dr Suryavanshi said, " The senior nationals will take place at any cost since it will be the last opportunity for the athletes to qualify for the Olympics. Therefore it is now the responsibility of the athletes to keep themselves physically fit for the nationals".

Box

Action to be taken against

erring athletes

During the meeting it was decided to take disciplinary action against some athletes. In the age verification, it was found that some athletes were over age during Junior National Athletics Championship held at Guwahati.Similarly action will be taken against four Nashik athletes who didn't wear the official T-Shirt of MAA during Senior National Cross Country held at Chandigarh. They have already been issued notices by MAA.