THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ashwin S of Ernakulam brightened the start of sixth Kerala State Youth Athletics Championship at the Chandrasekharan Nair stadium here on Sunday with a meet record in pole vault. He broke the record set by Jesson K G of Palakkad by crossing 3.8 m. Despite low patronage, 14 events were held on Sunday. The two-day state event has participation of 244 athletes. The under-18 Championship is named in honour of late Olympian Suresh Babu. The championship is being held in the capital after a long gap. The qualifiers from the competition will be participating in the CH Muhammed Koya stadium in Calicut University on May 26-28.
Kerala State Athletics Association, the organisers of Championship complained of un-helpful attitude by state sports agencies. Organisers had to spent a hefty amount as rent for various utilities controlled by Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs and Sports Council.