Karnataka Athletics Association is hosting the National Senior Inter-State Athletics Championships (ISAC) at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore, from June 11 to 14. It is the seventh time that Bangalore is hosting this prestigious championship.
Bangalore first hosted the inter-state athletics way back in 1966. Fifteen years later Sree Kanteerava Stadium witnessed a highly memorable meet in 1981. The above arena also played host for 1995, 1997, 2002 and 2005 editions of the ISAC. Having organized one of the most successful National Games in 1997 the stadia got its first synthetic track, which is completely revamped two years ago.
Sree Kanteerava Stadium also witnessed several junior and youth nationals, grand prix circuit meets, national open championships, inter-departmental meets as well as two legs of Asian Grand Prix series in 2006 and 2010. It also hosted two Asian Veteran Athletics championships and IWAS World Games in 2009 for the Elite Athletes with Disability.
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The four day ISAC commencing on Saturday will be crucial for the Indian athletes attempting to qualify for the ensuing Asian championships at Kobe, Japan, from July 7 to 10 and the World championships to be held at Daegu, South Korea, from August 27 to September 4, this year as well as the next year’s Olympic Games in London.
More than 600 athletes from as much as 22 states and union territories are taking part in the Bangalore meet. The meet will be inaugurated by Shri R. Ashok, Hon’ble Minister for Home and Transport, Government of Karnataka and Smt. Sharadamma, the Worshipful Mayor of Bangalore, has kindly consented to be a Guest of Honour, among other dignitaries from the Government and sports bodies.
A galaxy of top ranking Indian athletes, including the medallists from last year’s Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, are taking part in the meet. Kerala’s Joseph Abraham, Asiad gold medallist in men’s 400m hurdles, Abdul Najeeb Quereshi of Andhra Pradesh, who equalled the national mark in 100m at the Commonwealth Games are the top contenders among men.
The trio of Indian discus throwers who made a podium sweep at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Delhi are expected to log horn once again. Also in the fray are country’s top rung triple jumpers Renjith Maheswary and Mayookha Johny. Ace distance runners Kavita Raut and Preeja Sreedharan among women and Pankaj Dimri and Chatholi Hamza among men, shout putters Om Prakash and Saurabh Vij, besides a number of upcoming juniors will try their might to set the track and field ablaze in the next four days.
