A record number of 1116 track and field athletes (828 men and 288 women) from 34 districts will be participating in the LIC- 69th Maharashtra State Senior Athletics Championships 2019, to be held at the University Sports Grounds, Marines Lines, on June 25 and 26, 2019.
The leading international athletes from Maharashtra will be seen in action during this two-day championship, to be organized by the Bombay City District Athletics Association. Along with this, for the first time in the history of Indian Athletics, NADA will be present to conduct dope tests on the participants.
Adille Sumariwalla, President, Maharashtra Athletics Association, informed media persons at a press conference on Sunday that he was overwhelmed with the response received for the state championship.
“It’s heartening to know that a record number of entries have been received for this event. It shows that youngsters are eager and keen to participate in athletics competitions. Another positive sign is that a maximum number of international athletes from the state are participating,” a satisfied Sumariwalla said.
Sumariwalla, who is also the President of AFI, also mentioned that because of his initiative the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has decided to send a team of NADA officials for all State meets. “Recently during the Kerala State meet NADA officials were present to monitor the athletes. For Maharashtra, Championships NADA has deputed three officials to be present the meet. This is the only way of curbing the menace and use of performance-enhancing substances during an event.”
Meanwhile, former Internationals runners, Olympian Edward Sequeira, Anand Menezes, Rachita Mistry, and hockey Olympian M.M. Somaya and badminton legend Aparna Popat and a couple of other distinguished sportspersons will be present during the meet to support and encourage the participants.
Pune District boasts of fielding the largest contingent 95 (53 men and 42 women) athletes.
Women: Chaitrali Gujar (100m and 200m); Siddhi Hiray (100m and 200m); Nidhi Singh (400m and 400m hurdles); Durga Deore (800m and 1500m); Poorna Raorane (shot put); Aarti Patil (5000m); Komal Jagdale (3000m); Ankita Gosavi (100m hurdles); Archana Adhav (800m and 1500m).
Men: Ganesh Satpute (100m); Akshay Khot (200m and 400m); Gaurang Ambre (100m); Alden Noronha (110m hurdles); Kisan Tadvi (5000m and 10,000m); Ranjeet Patel (10,000m); Pratik Ninave (100m and 200m); Abhishek Ubhe (110m hurdles); Kalidas Hirave (5000m and 10,000m).
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