Jamshedpur camp condition unsatisfactory

November 16: The National campers in athletics are not satisfied with the conditions in the Jamshedpur training camp. Preparing on grass is ...

November 16: The National campers in athletics are not satisfied with the conditions in the Jamshedpur training camp. Preparing on grass is having a counter-effect according to them. Rachita Mistry, who won the Inter-State 100m for women yesterday, went on to add that it would be easier to run on the road than the Jamshedpur track.

Keeping these views in mind, the Amateur Athletics federation of India (AAFI) has decided to shift the camp to Delhi immediately. The AAFI secretary Lalit Bhanot said that as soon all the formalities are finalised, the camp will shifted to Delhi. Earlier, the AAFI had announced that Delhi will host the camp from November 22, but now it appears that the Asian Games squad will reach the city before that. The athletics team will leave for Bangkok in two batches. While the first will leave on November 9, the second will depart on November 13.

Although the AAFI has already sent a tentative list to the Indian Olympic Association, a few names will be withdrawn. Bhanot said that about27 athletes will make up the squad. The final list will be announced in Delhi this week itself.

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Speaking about specific athletes, Bhanot said that 19-year-old Sunita Rani, who created a new National mark in women’s 5,000m, is certain to make the squad in spite of having failed to cross the AAFI target. “We have to consider that Sunita had to run alone towards the end,” Bhanot said. “With competition, she should be able to touch the 15:55s mark.” Sunita Rani became the first Indian woman to run the distance below 16 minutes.

Lekha Thomas will also be considered for women’s triple jump. Thomas equalled her National record of 13.26 metres in the Open Nationals, but failed to clear the target of 13.50m.

Bhanot added that the performances of Indian athletes have vastly improved in recent times. He attributed this to a more organised calender, better competition at home and more domestic meets. This year, there have been 20 domestic meet as compared to two 10 years ago.