2008, the year of Athletics: MAAA

Pune, Jan 9 (UNI) The Maharashtra Amateur Athletic Association (MAAA) - one of the most celebrated and affiliated unit of the Athletic Federation of India (AFI) has decided to dedicate 2008 as the year of Athletics, starting from tomorrow, in its concerted efforts in the proliferation, promotion at the grass root level.

MAAA Secretary General Pralhad Sawant told newsmen here today that the effort was to explore the possibility of sportspersons from the State garner maximum medals in the Commonwealth Youth games to be held in Pune later this year.

MAAA has been divided into seven zones to have uniformity and easy access in administration. Mr Sawant would betouring all seven zones namely Kolhapur, Pune, Marathwada, Nashik, Mumbai, Amrawati and Nagpur to gain first hand knowledge about the status of athletics.

During the year, MAAA would be launching its ''website'' to provide access to all its 30 affiliated district units to gain every possible details pertaining to its history, names of office bearers, annual athletics calendar, national calendar, selection committies, other 14 committies and other related information. Every district would have a separate page giving all concerned information.

In a tie up with AFI, the Maharashtra senior and junior athletic meets would be held in the month of June, every year while the district meets would be conducted in the month of May. In addition, coaching camps would be conducted on short and long term basis.

Over and above, MAAA office bearers would be finalising 14 district committies to initiate dialogues regarding the Shiv Chhtarapati awards, Dadoji Kondev awards with past and present internationals and the District Sports Officer to know their schemes and problems.

Information would be extended to the districts regarding five per cent job reservation for sportspersons and the allocation of 25 marks to SSC and HSC who represented in the state and national championships.

The MAA in a move to bring quality, have decided to set qualifying marks for every tournament from the ensuing year would be dicussed during the tour campaign, Mr Sawant pointed out. The felicitation of national athletes from every district would also be finalised during the campaign.

Maharashtra slogan ''Go For Gold'' coined for the 2008 CYG would be given the maximum boost so that sportspersons from the state garner more medals.

MAAA would be making efforts to translate the International Association of Athletic Federation (IAAF) the apex body controlling athletics circulated rules book into Marathi. Mr Sawant and Mr Ram Bhagwat have been designated with the task. Seminars for coaches, officials and women organisers would also be conducted in all districts.

Mr Sawant along with Mr R B Patil of Kolhapur and Mr Ranjit Rane of Sindudurg would conduct first phase of campaign from Kolhapur Zone from January 10 to 14 and would be visiting Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, Sindudurg and Ratnagiri.

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