Kerala capital to host all India police athletic meet

Around 1,200 athletes from state and central police forces would participate in the 58th all India police athletic championship here from February 17 to 21.

A total of 29 teams including BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, RPF and SSB would take part in the championship, being held in Kerala after a 22 year gap, Director General of Police Jacob Punnoose told reporters here today.

Kerala had earlier hosted the event in 1982, 1985 and 1988. The inaugural and concluding functions would be held at the Chandrasekharan Nair stadium and competitions on the synthetic track at the University Stadium in the city.

BSF were team champions last year and Punjab police, runners up. Punjab police currently hold the state champions title while Uttar Pradesh is in second spot. In the women's category, CRPF were champions last year and Punjab police came second.

Prominent athletes participating in the meet include P H Abdullah-400 m (CRPF), Anoop P K-High Jump, Jagdish-100 m,
Ajayakumar-200 m, Harpreet Singh-400 m, Madan Singh-10,000 m, Mukesh Singh-Shot Put and Simrajit Bhatia- Discus (all BSF).

Chief minister VS Achuthanandan would inaugurate the championship on February 17.