Guntur: The 33rd Coromandel National Junior Athletic Championship-2017 started at the Acharya Nagarjuna University on Thursday. About 2,340 athletes would participate in 144 athletic games to be held under the joint aegis of Andhra Pradesh Athletic Association and SAAP. Competitions would be held in the age groups of 14, 16, 18 and 20 years. Narasaraopeta MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao inaugurated the National Junior Athletic Championship-2017 and observer of the event and famous sprinter P.T. Usha hoisted the sports flag marking the beginning of the competitions.
Mr Sambasiva Rao said Amaravati would turn as a hub of sports and praised ANU for providing world-class blue athletic track on its premises, enabling conducting national-level sports competitions. He said that AP government was giving preference to development of sports which has been helping young sportspersons the state shine at various global competitions. He said winners of national junior athletic championships will be selected for international athletics championship.
Guntur district collector K. Sasidhar, event executive chairman Rayapati Ranga Rao, Limca Book of Records entrant Sadhineni Rama Devi, ANU V-C Prof. A. Rajendra Prasad and other participated in the inaugural programme. Competitions in 5,000-metres run, discus throw, shot put, high jump, long jump, 400-mt run, triathlon, 1,500-mt run, 200-mt run and javelin throw were held today.
