230 athletes from 20 nations for Pune leg of Asian Grand Prix

Pune, June 10 (UNI) A record number of 230 athletes from 20 Asian countries will be vying for honours in the final leg of the Asian Grand Prix meet, offering 50,000 dollar in prize money, that gets underway at the Baburao Sanas Sports Complex here on June 27.

This year, the opening leg is scheduled to be held at Bangkok on June 19, whilst Guwahati will host the second leg on June 23.

Addressing a press conference here today, Asian Athletics Association president Suresh Kalmadi said that the competition is expected to be intense as Japan will be participating in the event for the first time while China is fielding a large contingent.

Top athletes from Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgistan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Syria, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Tazakistan, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and hosts India will be participating in the Asian Grand Prix series, en route their participation in the World Championship which will be held at Osaka, Japan.

The Pune leg of the Asian Grand Prix will showcase the Doha Asian Games 2006 gold medalists in the following events: Guzel Khubbieva (Uzbekistan, 100m), Olga Tereshkova (Kazakhstan, 400m), Marina Aitova (Kazakhstan, high jump), Xie Limei (China, triple jump), and Li Ling (China, shot put) among the women.

Two former World Youth champions from China -- Xue Juan (2003) and Zhang Li (2005) are taking part in javelin throw, Mr Kalmadi informed.

Among the men, Asian Games gold medalist Li Yanxi (China) will figure in triple jump along with 2002 champion Fawzi Al-Shammari (Kuwait) in 400m flat and two-time World Championship bronze medalist Dai Tamesue of Japan in 400m hurdles.

The men's triple jump will also have Asian Games silver medalist Roman Valiyev of Kazakhstan and India's Ranjith Maheswari. Simimole Paulose and O P Jaisha of India in 1500 meters, and Ivominkaya Natalie of Kazakhstan in 100 hurdles are expected to be the top draw, Mr Kalmadi said.

World Athletics bronze medalist and India's ace long jumper Anju Bobby George will lead the Indian contingent of 34 men and 21 women athletes in the Pune leg of the AGP.

The events in the men's section include 100m, 400m, 1500m, 3000m, 400m hurdles, high jump, triple jump, shot put, discus throw, and 4x100m relay. In the women's section, the events will be 100m, 400m, 1500m, 100m hurdles, high jump, long jump, triple jump, shot put, javelin throw, 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay, Mr Kalmadi said.

Asian Athletics Association secretary-cum-treasurer Maurice Nicholas and Athletics Federation of India (AFI) secretary general Dr Lalit Bhanot are designated as competition directors for the series. In addition to 120 AFI technical officials, an identical number from Maharashtra Amateur Athletic Association (MAAA) and 250 from the Pune District Amateur Athletic Association (PDAAA) will be assisting a team of Asian technical officials which includes Mr Alexey Kondart (Kazakhstan), Mr Wang Tien Choy (Singapore), Foo Jiong Kew (Singapore), Mr Bernard Pereira (Sri Lanka), and Mr Faruq ul Islam (Bangladesh).

UNI