MAAA chalk out ambitious annual programme

Pune Apr 23 (UNI) Apart from hosting the ''Asian Grand Prix'' meet, the Maharashtra Amateur Athletic Association (MAAA) at its annual general body meeting (AGM) today decided to introduce open cross- country zonal meets from the ensuing athletic calendar. MAAA, the apex body controlling athletics in the state, met under the chairmanship of its newly elected president, former olympian sprinter, Adile Sumariwala today and finalised the year's calendar which mainly focuses on promoting long-distance running. While briefing reporters here, Mr Sumariwala, who took over the mantle of presidentship from fromer Thane Shv Sena MP Satish Pradhan, said the main aim behind introducing open cross-country zonal meets was to encourage the potential long distnce runners.

Maharashtra unlike the past has done very well in the longdistance runnings at the juniors, sub-juniors and senior catagories and hence decided to introduce the zonal championships'' Mr Sumariwala explained The open zonal championships will be held in seven districts starting from Kolhapur and Pune zones ( 18th July) followed by Marathwada Zone ( 20th July), Amravati( 23rd July), Nagpur Zone ( 25th July), Nasik Zone (27th July), Mumbai Zone ( 30th July).

While the Maharashtra state open cross-country championship will be held at Aurangabad on August 15, Mr Sumariwala added.

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