Asian athletics in Pune?

Even as a decision is yet to be made on the Asian Athletics Championships after Tamil Nadu refused to host the event, the Athletic Federation of India (AFI) is still hopeful of hosting the July 3-7 event in the country.

“We are ready provided we get the support from the central and state governments,” said Adille J Sumariwalla, president of AFI.

“As far as the infrastructure is concerned, we are well-equipped, but it is the question of logistics that is more important,” said Sumariwalla, adding that Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi would be an ideal place.

Jitendra Singh, minister of youth affairs and sports, brought the issue in the parliament on Monday.

 “We have given a letter to the ministry of external affairs to shift the event to Delhi, Pune or Ranchi,” Singh was quoted as saying while replying to a question from AIADMK member
S Semmalai.

When asked about the time limit to make this event a possibility, Sumariwalla said that two months would be sufficient to put things in order.

@joepune