Anuradha blames postponements for missing National Games

Ranchi, Feb 11 (PTI) Ace athlete Anuradha Biswal, whocompletes 25 years in the track and field events, today saidthat too many postponements of the National Games had come inthe way of her from taking part in the 100m hurdles for thefourth time.

"I thought there would be another postponement as theGames were postponed for so many times. Frequent postponementshave disturbed my concentration and focus. So I have opted outof the Games," 36-year-old Biswal told PTI from Bhubaneswar.

The Games were postponed six times leaving severalplayers across the country either to take retirement orfailing to get into their respective teams in time, Biswalsaid.

"100m hurdles requires cent per cent fitness andpreparations. Several players like me have missed the chanceto participate despite eagerly awaiting for the Games," saidBiswal, who made her debut in 1985.

"I am preparing for the next Asian Track and FieldChampionship," Biswal said, when asked whether she had anyplans of retirement from the track.

Besides winning gold in 2006 SAAF Games, bronze in AsianChampionships in Jakarta in 2000, Biswal won three gold medalsand one silver in the National Games since 1999.

She also won a bronze in the 1990 Circuit NationalAthletics Meet in Mumbai where P T Usha won the gold in the100m sprint.

"I will watch the Games on TV," Biswal said.