Date:31/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/31/stories/2007053103372100.htm

Sport - Athletics

Guwahati, Pune may see women's long jump

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is making efforts to get women's long jump included in the programme for the Indian legs of the Asian Grand Prix circuit in June.

"We have already initiated the process of including the event," said the AFI Secretary Lalit Bhanot on Tuesday. "We are in touch with federations in the Philippines, Korea and China and may also approach Japan (to get competitors for the event). We can also get an athlete from Sri Lanka," he said.

The belated efforts, if they prove successful, will give India's star long jumper Anju George an opportunity to make her planned season debut at home rather than abroad. Both Anju and husband-coach Bobby George are keen that she attains the qualifying norm for the World championships (6.60m) as quickly as possible.

Mr. Bhanot said that he had already discussed the matter with the Asian Athletics Association Secretary Maurice Nicholas, in Singapore. He said the latter was agreeable to the suggestion of bringing in women's long jump as an additional event in the Indian legs to be held in Guwahati (June 23) and Pune (June 27). There would be no prize money for the event.

The local hospitality for the additional athletes would be taken care of by the AFI or the hosting units, but the question would be about international passage.

Mr. Bhanot was confident that an arrangement could be worked out eventually enabling Anju to have her competitions at home before the Asian championships in Beirut in July.