The opening party of the newly-laid track at the Nehru Stadium here has got a perfect guest in the inter-state athletic championship. With the Asian and World Championships coming up in quick succession, the inter-state meet, starting from Tuesday, is loaded with significance.
The cream of Indian athletics has arrived in the Tamil Nadu capital. Some already have the continental event in Pune next month on their minds while a few others have the big picture of the Worlds at Moscow in August. One thing is for sure: the four-day meet in Chennai wouldn’t be run of the mill. The beautiful virgin track is ready to be a springboard for many a dream.
Ace quarter-miler M.R. Povamma is fast approaching the qualifying mark for the World Championships. The Karnataka athlete’s confidence stems from her hat-trick of gold medals at the Asian Grand Prix recently.
“My best time in the Asian Grand Prix was 52.75 seconds. The qualification for the worlds is 52.35. I’m almost there. In the Asian Grand Prix, there was no one to push me. I hope there is fierce competition here,” she said. Povamma is happy to be back at her favourite hunting ground.
“Chennai has always been lucky for me. It is at the Nehru Stadium here I broke the junior record in 2006. I had a memorable outing at last year’s Open nationals as well. The new track looks good and I hope everything falls in place during my race,” the 23-year-old said.
Arokiya Rajiv, the man in red-hot form in the men’s section in the same category, is also looking ahead to the blue ribbon event in Moscow. The Armyman, who will represent Tamil Nadu, won two golds and a silver at the Asian Grand Prix. He said that the taking part at the World Championship is a long-held dream.
Former India star P.T. Usha’s protégé Tintu Luka is also looking to book a ticket to the Russian capital through her Chennai sojourn.