KOTTAYAM: The State School Sports meet, the biggest occasion for the upcoming sportspersons to prove their mettle, will get underway in Pala on Friday. And all roads lead to the Greenfield Synthetic Track Stadium where Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will formally inaugurate the 61st edition of the State School Sports meet at 4 pm. According to the organisers, all preparations have been completed for the inaugural event. Sports equipment has been readied for the competitions at the newly constructed stadium. “Everything has been set for the competition and we have brought all equipment required for the event.
The track is of international standards and we are conducting final weigh-ins of the equipment to ensure high quality during the meet. We also have as many as 150 most qualified officials to supervise the meet,” said S Palaniya Pillai, chairman, technical committee of the meet. The authorities conducted a meeting of the sports officials and secondary officials on Thursday to review the arrangements.
“Sports equipment like shot put, hammer, javelin and hurdles were acquired from various organisations across the state such as the Sports Federation of India, Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs and the National Games, Trivandrum,” said Josit John, general convenor, Ground and Equipment Committee. High standards have been ensured for the meet, he said.
The authorities have set up help desks at Kottayam Railway Station, and KSRTC bus depots in Kottayam and Pala, to ensure hassle-free travel for the participants. The registration of the participants began at St Thomas Higher Secondary School on Thursday. K M Mani MLA inaugurated the registration counter and Jose K Mani MP launched the registration process.
The students and officials will be accommodated in as many as 21 schools and others places in and around Pala town. Vehicles will be arranged to pick the participants from the railway station and bus stands and drop them at the places of accommodation during the competition. A sufficient number of police personnel have been deployed at the stadium, accommodation places and at the mess hall arranged at St Thomas HSS.