HYDERABAD: The 65th All-India Police Athletics Championship kicked off with a bang at the GMC Balayogi Stadium in Gachibowli. The five-day event was inaugurated by Telangana governor ESL Narasimhan.
Sports events started as early as 6 in the morning, but the championship was formally inaugurated at 5 in the evening. “There should be a central police sports academy. We should have representatives from the police force at the Olympics in the coming years,” the Governor remarked.
Children from more than 10 schools occupied hundreds of places at the stadium, cheering for athletes. The cultural program included a dance number from trainee sub-inspectors, and a classical dance performance from school kids.
The highlights were the men’s and women’s 100m sprints, in which Mewa Singh (Punjab Police) and Sini S (Kerala Police) emerged winners. Singh clocked 10:85 seconds, while Sini raced to victory in 11:95s.
Other events that took place included hammer throw, 400m sprint and 110m hurdles. The championship will see more than 1000 athletes from 29 teams competing against each other.