24 countries to participate in Asian Grand Prix

Bangalore, Apr 14 (UNI) Star athletes from 24 countries will vie for top honours at the Asian Grand Prix to be held at Kanteerava Stadium here on May 22.

As many as 18 events, including eight for Women, will be held under floodlights and more than 130 athletes would participate, Karnataka Athletic Association Chairman Adikesavalu told newsmen here today.

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy would unveil the mascot for the event on April 24. The Organising Committee has chosen 'Hangul' an endangered red deer species found in India as the mascot and it has been named as 'Stride' which is acronym of 'Save the Red Indian Deer for Extinct. It connotes the progress of Sports and Unity and Friendship in Asia.

A torch relay from Mysore to Bangalore with leading athletes and celebrities will be held with a brief stop over at Ramnagar on May 20 and the Asian run for Unity and Friendship will be held next day in the City.

The event, to be a selection trial to pick the Asian team for the forthcoming World Athletic Cup in Athens, would be covered live by the Doordarshan, he added.

Karnataka Minister for Health and Family Welfare R Ashok assured all help from the government for the success of the event.

Mr Adikesvalu said steps have been taken to repair the track for the event and a team from Malaysia has already arrived and are on the job.

He said the successful conduct of the Asian Grand Prix would reinforce the State's bid for the 18th Asian Track and field Athletic Championship in 2009 before Commonwealth Games 2010, which India is hosting.

The Asian Grand Prix events for men would be in 100, 400, 800 Meters, 400 M hurdles, Shot put, Discuss Throw, High Jump, Steeple Chase, Javelin while women events will be in 100, 400, 1500 Mts, 100 Mts Hurdles, Shot put, Discuss Throw, Pole Vault and Long Jump.

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