Uncertainty over Pak participation in athletics meet
LUCKNOW: Ahead of next month’s South Asian Junior Athletics Championship here, the Uttar Pradesh Athletics Association (UPAA) is worried by the uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation.
As of now, the 36-member squad is scheduled to arrive for the October 19-20 event at the Sports Authority of India’s centre, but the frosty ties between the nations after the terrorist attack in Uri have put a question mark over their participation.
Despite the concern, the organisers are ready to conduct the event without Pakistan. “If a team pulls out, it doesn’t mean we should cancel the event,” UPAA secretary PK Srivastava told HT on Tuesday.
“It’s a tricky situation as we don’t have a directive from the government over the participation of Pakistani athletes. Even if we get a go-ahead, it would be difficult as there might be protests against the athletes.
“We can’t take a decision till the last date (September 30) for confirmation of participation is over. Once we get confirmation from the teams, we will request the government for visas,” said Srivastava. A decision will be taken at the special general meeting of the UPAA on Saturday.
Pakistan had a bronze in the last edition at Ranchi in 2013.
Meanwhile, promising long jumper V Neena cleared 6.43metres to win gold at the 56th National Open Athletics Championship here on Tuesday. The Kerala jumper achieved the mark on her fourth attempt to finish ahead of 2010 Commonwealth Games silver medallist MA Prajusha (6.02m).