Ahmedabad:
Hurdler Alankrutha V and track runner Rashmitha Gowda have some unfinished tasks to complete when they step on the track for the 2024 edition of the National Inter District Junior Athletics Meet starting here on Friday at Gujarat University eight-lane synthetic track.
The three-day event concludes on Sunday and will be held in U14 and U16 age groups in both boys’ and girls’ sections.
Hailing from district Ramanagara in Karnataka, both Alankrutha and Rashmitha had reached the final of their respective age group events at 2023 edition in Patna.
On the basis of their performance the duo were shortlisted for the National Talent Project and attended a fortnight camp in Trivandrum, Kerala.
This time Alankrutha and Rashmitha have plans to move up the ladder in competition starting Friday.
Unfazed by the hectic train journey from home to Ahmedabad, the athletes are confident. “The training has gone well. I should do better than last year,” Alankrutha said.
Last edition in Patna, Bihar, Alankrutha competed in the U14 triathlon (group C). This year her focus is the 80m hurdles in the U16 group.
Rashmitha will compete in 600m in U16. Back home Rashmitha practiced at 200m track. To mentally prepare for her race, she did warm up to feel the track. “Hope to have a good night’s sleep to get ready for Friday’s event,” Rashmitha said.
As many as 5,578 athletes from 619 districts will compete in a three-day competition that will conclude on Sunday.
The event is being held under the aegis of Athletics Federation of India (AFI) in coordination with Sports Authority of Gujarat and Government of Gujarat.
While the competition will be held at Gujarat University campus in Ahmedabad, accommodation of athletes numbering 5,578 has been spread out to Ahmedabad as well as nearby Gandhinagar. As per entries 3380 male athletes and 2198 female athletes will compete in U14 and U16 age groups. “There are boarding and lodging facilities for the athletes and team officials,” Adille Sumariwalla, president of the AFI said.
Picture Caption: Hurdler Alankrutha V (right) and track runner Rashmitha Gowda.
