Tirupati gets ready for NIDJAM

Tirupati: Pilgrim city is all set to welcome thousands of junior athletes from across the country to participate in the National Inter District Junior Athletics Meet (NIDJAM) to be held from November 23 to 25.

With the experience of conducting the same event last year also, the officials have been completing all the works. The District Collector who will be the Chairman of the tournament has formulated several committees for the smooth conduct of the mega event.

Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) has given Rs.50 lakhs for organising the event whereas the food expenditure for all athletes, coaches, officials, supporting staff etc., for almost six days was estimated to cost about Rs.1 crore. District machinery has been mobilising the resources through donations in cash or kind.

Roads and Buildings department has been entrusted with the works of laying running track in the stadium to conduct 100 M, 200 M, 400 M, 800 M and 1000 M running competitions. The department is also readying tracks for long jump and high jump and Javelin and Discuss throws.

Tirupati Municipal Corporation has been taking care of food arrangements, sanitation and toilets. Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) has been tastefully decorating the stadium and its surroundings.

For under 14 boys and girls, competitions will be held in five events while for under 16 boys and girls 12 events will be there. Total 4,372 athletes from 469 districts in the country are expected to participate in the event.

Out of them, 2,578 are boys and 1,794 are girls. In addition, 739 officials will come from various places to take part in athletic meet. Out of total 15 venues for accommodation, 12 will be earmarked for athletes and the remaining three for officials. Collector Dr N Bharat Gupta has reviewed the progress of works on Tuesday also.

Tirupati MLA B Karunakar Reddy has visited the stadium and said that the event was a success last year and the city got the opportunity again.. Tirupati SP Dr Gajarao Bhupal will be the Vice-Chairman while Joint Collector – II VR Chandramouli will be the Secretary for the tournament. CEO of District Sports Authority S Lakshmi and other officials have been working hard to put everything in order.