Athletics Federation of India (AFI) associate vice-president Abu Metha, said that AFI was keen to promote athletes in the Northeast region and as such, hosting th national cross Country championships in Nagaland would achieve the aspiration.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Special Correspondent
Nagaland is all set to host the first-ever national athletic event-Cross Country Championship next year.
An official bulletin on Saturday stated that Athletics Federation of India (AFI) associate vice-president Abu Metha, while addressing media persons in Kohima disclosed that it would be the first ever for Nagaland to host the national event.
He said that the one-day “National Cross Country Championship” is likely to be held on January 15, 2022, in Kohima, where affiliated associations from all over the country, top athletes who represented at the national and international level are expected to participate in the event.
While highlighting that during the last cross country championships under AFI, more than 500 athletes participated, he expressed hope that there would be such turnouts to participate, with the maximum participation from Nagaland and its neighbouring northeastern states.
Stating that Naga athletes have potential to perform in track and field, Metha said that elaborate plan have been worked out to focus on these areas for Naga athletes in the ensuing months ahead of the event.
Prior to the event, a team of technical officials from AFI would visit Nagaland and hold interactive meeting with the Nagaland Team and formulate a “game plan” to finalise the event, Metha informed.
He also said that AFI was keen to promote athletes in the Northeast region and as such, hosting th national cross Country championships in Nagaland would achieve the aspiration while also informing that as a follow up to the upcoming event, the Nagaland Athletics Association (NAA) would be holding various cross country events in different districts of the state for school children, college students and athletes.
The district events would kick-off in later part of October to November and by December, state level event would be conducted after which the selected athletes will participate at the 56th National Cross Country Championship, Metha further informed.
Meanwhile, Metha has called upon all sports lovers and sports fraternity of the state and the state government to come forward and support to make the event successful.