Guwahati: Logistical challenges could force the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) to reconsider hosting the 57th National Cross Country Championships in the proposed site of Kaziranga National Park.
Earlier in the day, the AFI announced its race schedule for the 2023 season, which will begin with the 57th National Cross Country Championships on January 7-8.
“Many teams have expressed concerns about the location due to logistical and connectivity issues. We look forward to addressing all issues, but if nothing works, we should probably think about moving it elsewhere,” said AFI Vice President Lakhya Konwar. EastMojo.
“We have not yet focused on the exact location and will call after discussions with all stakeholders. For now, Kaziranga remains the provisional host, but it all depends on how things take shape leading up to the event. In case it doesn’t work, we are looking at Guwahati as the other location,” he added.
According to an AFI statement, the cross-country skiing championships were scheduled on a track in Kaziranga National Park, the home of one-horned rhinoceroses.
AFI President Adille J. Sumariwalla said the domestic calendar has been prepared with a view to international competition in 2023.
“We have many events where our athletes can show the progress they have made. AFI is confident that Indian athletics will continue to grow in the right direction and trajectory,” he said.
Sumariwalla went on to say that the federation was happy that its flagship National Inter-District Junior Athletics Meet (NIDJAM) would be back on the annual calendar after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The competition will be held from January 12 to 14 in Patna.
“We are delighted that Bihar has come forward to give great support to NIDJAM and will host it in Patna,” he said.
The 10th Indian Open Race Walking Competition will be held at Ranchi on 14th and 15th February before competitions head south for the 2nd Indian Open Throws Competition at the IIS, Bellary on 1st and 2nd March followed by the 4th Indian Open 400m Competition , Thiruvananthapuram.
The World Race Walking Championships in Muscat (March 4 and 5) would be the first major encounter for Indians. The Asian Championships in Pattaya, Thailand (July 12-16) gain importance as the winners directly qualify for the World Championships in Budapest (August 19-27). The Asian Games are scheduled in Hangzhou (September 23 to October 8).
For the juniors, the much-delayed Asian Junior Athletics Championships were due to be held June 4-7 in Yecheon, South Korea, ahead of the U20 World Championships in Lima, Peru August 20-25.
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