Inter-state Athletics meet begins tomorrow in Chennai

Non disclosure of qualifying marks for next month's Asian Championships in Guangzhou, China, by Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is unlikely to hamper the performance of top athletes in the 49th National inter-state meet starting here tomorrow.

About 1,200 men and women athletes from 27 states will vie for honours in the four-day event, concluding on October 24.

120 athletes, who are in the elite list for the preparation of 2010 Commonwealth Games and camping at NIS Patiala and Bangalore, have confirmed participation for the meet. They have returned from the training tour of England.

AFI senior vice-president WI Davaram told a press conference here that athletes would hit peak form here and one could expect a number of records set at the meet.

"There is no dearth of participation. We do not know the qualifying mark set by the Federation for the ensuing Asian Championship in China (November 10-14)," he said.

"But the best athletes will be sent to China. The earlier best performances of athletes will be considered for selection," Davaram said. Dawaram said the AFI was very particular about conducting dope tests. "We do want another weightlifting fiasco here. We only know a team of WADA officials are here. It will be an independent operation. All medalists will be subject to dope tests. Besides WADA will also do random tests."

The coaches on their part are confident that athletes would come up with required timings and distances at this meet. The focus would also be on the athletes now in the two camps in Patiala and Bangalore, they said.

Records show only one new national mark was set in last years inter-state meet at Madurai — Krishna Mohan (AP) winning the 110m in 14 secs flat for a New National Mark. Even the Bhopal Open Nationals last month did not see athletes erase existing meet records.

Tintu Luka, a ward of the legendary PT Usha had won gold in the 800m relegating better known Sushma Devi and Sinimol Paulose to minor places. She seems to be in good nick to win back to back titles and also earn the ticket to China.

Tamil Nadu's Gayathri, a double silver medalist from the Commonwealth Youth Games at Pune this year, had won her senior title in 100m hurdles with yet another sub-14 timing and is all set to dominate the event like state-mate KN Priya.

In the absence of Anju Bobby George, Kerala's young and upcoming MA Prajusha won a double in long and triple jump at Bhopal.

Another Kerala born Tamil Nadu athlete VS Surekha won the pole vault with a 4m clearance. Tamil Nadu sprinter Sharada Narayana piped  fancied H M Joyti (A.P).  These athletes, as also Andhra short distance runner Sowjanya and her junior Mounika (both in 200 m) have the best chances to garner glory at Chennai.

In the men's section, the comeback of Renjith Maheswary in triple jump, rivalry between Bibin Mathew and SK Mortaja in 400m, Abdul Najeeb Qureshi in sprints, the exploits of long jumper Maha Singh, shot putter Om Prakash, hurdler Joseph Abraham, distant runner Surendra Singh and walker Babubhai Panocha are the front runners for top honours in their events

From the Asian championships perspective, the following athletes have achieved Top-10 marks on continental level this year (read as event, rank, performance, name of athlete, meet, venue, date):

Men: 400m (9) 46.16s Bibin Mathew, Indian GP, Chennai, 14 May, 400m hurdles (5) 49.59s Joseph Abraham, IGP, Chennai, 1500m (9) 3:42.87 Chatholi Hamza, ONAC, Bhopal , Shot put (2) 19.89m Om Prakash, Istanbul, 13 June, Javelin (9) 77.07m
Kashinath Naik, IGP Chennai

Women: 100m (10) 11.64s Sharadha Narayana, Indian GP, Chennai, 14 May, 800m (7) 2:03.53 Tintu Luka, ONAC, Bhopal, Discus (5) 60.78 Krishna Poonia, London, 1 Aug, Discus (8) 59.85 Seema Antil, WC,
Berlin, Heptathlon (4) 5366 Sushmita Singha Roy, Multistars, Desenzano del Garda, 10 May.