Date:27/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/27/stories/2006042709102200.htm

Sport - Athletics

KAA unveils Asian GP mascot

Principal Correspondent

BANGALORE: `Stride', the mascot of the second-leg of the Asian Grand Prix athletic championship to be held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on May 22 was unveiled by State Education Minister Basavaraj Horatti on Wednesday.

The Karnataka Athletic Association (KAA), which will be conducting an event of this magnitude for the first time, has set the ball rolling.

But Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy was unable to do the honours and it was left to the State Education Minister to `unroll' the canvas. Prominent athletes and Arjuna Awardees graced the occasion.

Anil Kumble, the only Indian cricketer to scalp 500 Test wickets, ace long jumper Anju Bobby George and Olympian Ashwini Nachappa made it a memorable evening. Bangkok will host the first-leg on May 18 while the second and third legs will be held in Bangalore and Pune, on May 22 and 26, respectively.

"About 20 Asian countries have confirmed participation and more are expected to do so in the next few days," organising secretary Manjunath Bhandari said. Sathyanarayana, secretary, KAA, looked a happy man with the Government assuring to take care of the accommodation for foreign participants.

The meet will be held under floodlights and will have nine events for men and eight for women. The events: Men: 100 metres, 400m, 800m, 3000m, 400m hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot put, javelin throw.

Women: 200m, 400m, 800m, 100m hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot put, discus throw.