All India Police Athletics Championship in Guwahati from Nov 13

Guwahati, Nov 9 (UNI) The 56th All India Police Athletics Championship will be held in Guwahati from November 13 next, with the host Assam Police riding on the success of the 33rd National Games in February to win the bid. Addressing a press conference here today, Assam Police Director General R N Mathur said, ''The Athletics Championship has been awarded to us, especially after the National Games were hosted successfully in the state last February.'' A total of 28 teams, including police teams of various states and para-military forces, have so far confirmed participation in this five-day event, Inspector General of Police (IGP) and in-charge of conduct of the championship Kula Saikia informed. The major states that are not participating include Manipur, Gujarat, Mizoram, Chattisgarh, Goa and Arunachal Pradesh. Mr Saikia said the states have attributed the prevailing situation in their respective states, including approaching state assembly elections, as the reason for abstaining from the Championship. He said prominent sportspersons from the police force of the country will be participating in the events as good performance in the police games helps them in getting selected for international games. Though names of such star athletes have not been submitted by the respective teams, the IGP said big names are expected. He added that security will be at the same scale as was for the National Games and dog squads and bomb squads will also be deployed, including other regular security measures. Altogether 42 events will be held and 87 medals will be up for grab. The state chief minister Tarun Gogia will inaugurate the Championship and the Governor will participate in the closing ceremony.

UNI