Anju George to take part in Grand Prix at Guwahati, Pune

Pune, June 4 (UNI) Ace long-jumper Anju Bobby George has kept all speculation at rest by announcing that she will be seen in action in the second and third leg of the Asian Grand Prix meets to be held at Guwahati on June 23 and Pune on June 27.

Women's long jump event is not part of the schedule in this year's Asian Grand Prix meets as events are included by rotation.

But since Anju has shown keeness to compete, the Athletic Federation of India (AFI) has approached the Asian Athletic Association (AAA) to include the event in the second and the third legs to be held in India.

AFI joint honorary secretary Pralhad Sawant, who was present in Bangalore during the youth national athletic championship, cleared the air and said though the event will have the Grand Prix status, there won't be any prize money for the winners.

After lying low due to the heel injury, Anju has recovered completely and looks up to the Grand Prix meets to regain her confidence. Despite the leg injury last year Anju managed to emerge a runner-up to Volga with a leap of 6.21 meters at the Pune leg.

The gutsy ace-jumper, however, exuded confidence of winning Gold in both the Indian legs, while inaugurating the national youth athletic meet at Bangalore recently, Mr Sawant said.

''The Indian leg of the Grand Prix would be of great advantage to regain my confidence before the stiffer tests ahead,'' Anju said.

The bronze medalist at the 2003 World Championship, continues with her preparation for the ensuing World Athletic Championship to be held in Osaka.

With some good performances under her belt in June -- Anju will be looking forward to participate in the European circuit meets in preparation for the World championship, Mr Sawant said.

Presently, it is difficult to get an entry into the European meets as she was out of world rankings for not competing in minimum of six meets in the last 13 months.

With her determined resolve and no semblance of challenge coming within the country, the 30-year-old ace long-jumper was confident that she can qualify for the Osaka meet, Mr Sawant explained.

If everyting goes well, Anju has expressed hopes of winning the elusive Gold in the 2008 Beijing Olympic games.

Anju's best effort of 6.54 meters was at Commonwealth Games at Melbourne last season. Anju has time till August 13 to qualify for the World Championship at Osaka, which gets underway from August 25 to September 2.

UNI