Tirupati to host national junior athletics meet

Tirupati: The pilgrim city will be swarmed by thousands of junior athletes at national-level as they come to showcase their talent at a mega sports event, ‘16th National Inter District Junior Athletic Meet’ (NIDJAM) from December 1 to 3.

Nearly 4,500 players in the age group of 14 to 16 years belonging to 400 districts across the country will participate in the event which the pilgrim city will be hosting for the first time. It may be recalled that after bifurcation of the state, Visakhapatnam got the opportunity of organising NIDJAM for three consecutive years and Tirupati was chosen as the venue in the fourth year.

For the smooth conduct of the sports meet, an organising committee under the chairmanship of the District Collector PS Pradyumna was formed along with an executive committee under the leadership of Joint Collector PS Girisha were formed while 22 other committees were also set up to look after various aspects of the event.

The events will be held in four categories of under-14 boys and girls and under-16 boys and girls. In under-14 category, there will be five events while for under-16 category there will be 12 events.

The events include 100 metres race, long jump, high jump and shot put for under-14 category whereas under-16 category will include 100, 200 and 400 metre race. 100 metre hurdles, long jump, high jump, shot put, javelin and discus throws, 100-metre relay and 400-metre relay. All the competitions will be held at Tarakarama Stadium in SV University.

Both the State government and district machinery were considering it as a prestigious event and making foolproof arrangements. They are hopeful that this mega sports event will further consolidate their efforts in making the city as sports city as well. Special Chief Secretary (Sports) LV Subrahmanyam held a meeting with district officials in Tirupati recently and gave directions for organising the event efficiently.

Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) Vice-Chairman Seshagiri Babu, P S Pradyumna, Municipal Corporation Commissioner V Vijay Rama Raju, TTD JEO Pola Bhaskar, SAAP member Sridhar Varma and other officials were present on the occasion. District Collector had already held two review meetings and committees were finalised, who have plunged into action immediately.

On Friday also, several officials met at the TUDA office to finalise accommodation, transport and other arrangements. It was decided to provide accommodation to the players at TTD Kalyanamandapams, social welfare integrated hostels, various junior colleges and engineering colleges and other places.

Apart from athletes, about 1,000 officials from across the country will also reach Tirupati for the sports meet, said the CEO of SETVEN S Lakshmi. Speaking to The Hans India, she said that guest houses of universities, Vishnu Nivasam, Srinivasam and others were identified for providing accommodation to officials.

Necessary arrangements for transportation of players between accommodation venues and stadium will be made. “It’s a prestigious event and for the first time an event with a such a magnitude is being organised under the leadership of District Collector and we are all committed to make it a grand success”, she maintained.