Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, April 1: Twelve athletes from Orissa cleared the ‘GAIL Indian Speedstar’ trials to qualify for the national finals at the Kalinga Stadium here Friday. The nationals will be conducted at New Delhi in May. The event was an initiative taken by National Yuva Cooperative Society (NYCS) as part of its nationwide campaign to identify athletes for 2020 and 2024 Olympics.
Among the 12 qualifiers were four girls and eight boys. Ashis Mohapatra of Bhubaneswar and Sukhi Baskey of Sundargarh qualified in the U-14 boys’ and girls’ 100 metres. Arbin Minz and Sukhi from Sundargarh while Rati Ranjan from Bhubaneswar qualified for the U-14 200 metres.
In the U-17 segment, Kamakshya Naik from Cuttack, Bikash Kashyap and Raibari Tiria from Bhubaneswar made the cut in the 100 metres category. In the 200 metres, Kamakshya, Krishna Munda from Bhubaneswar and Prasanjit Kujur of Cuttack were selected. In U-17 girls’ group, Jyoshna Sabar and Laxmi Muduli of Bhubaneswar qualified while in the 800 metres Roshan Minz, Cuttack qualified in U-17 category.
One hundred and eight athletes from different districts of the state participated in the event along with the short-listed five wild card entrants who were selected a day prior to the state trials. The event was inaugurated by Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Eminent athletes Anuradha Biswal, Dutee Chand and Purnima Hembram also graced the occasion and presented medals and certificates to the athletes who qualified for the nationals.
