VISAKHAPATNAM:For the first time ever, a total of 3,284 athletes from 292 districts of various states across the country will be taking part in the 13th National Inter-District Junior Athletics Meet (NID-JAM) to be held at Visakhpatnam Port Trust’s Diamond Jubiliee Outdoor Stadium from September 5 to 7. It is also the first time that so many athletes are taking part in the history of NID-JAM, beating the last recorded number of 2,700. Noted athletes Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, Anju Bobby George and JS Saini will be attending the meet.
Players from various parts of the country have started arriving at the City of Destiny from Tuesday evening. Around 1,210 girls, 2,074 boys and 600 coaches will be attending the event.
The district authorities have arranged for accommodation at five different places at Marikavalasa, Dawarakanagar, Thimmapuram and few more places for the athletes, and AU Platinum Jubilee Guest House and YMCA for the delegates. Reception desks have been set up at the Visakhapatnam Airport, Bus station and platform number eight at the Railway Station. Committees have been attanged for facilities including drinking water, sanitation and power supply.
Athletes Federation of India (AFI) chief operating officer Manish Kumar said that though some athletes have arrived here Tuesday, the majority of them will be arriving on Thursday and Friday.
He said that each team will comprise of 15 members including 13 athletes and two coaches. Around 150 officers including 80 local officers and three technical delegates and other staff will be on duty. Excluding Prakasam, all other districts from Andhra Pradesh will be participating.
Coaching for local PETs Sought
It is learnt that the Athletes Federation of India AFI has sought the sports officials of the State to conduct a coaching camp for the PETs in state. The officials promised to forward the idea to the Chief Minister. According to the AFI authorities, such camps would bring up a decent game and increase the output of players.