Sanas Complex permanent venue for Asian Grand Prix: Kalmadi

Pune, May 13 (UNI) The newly developed Baburao Sanas complex of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will be the permanent venue for hosting of the Asian Grand Prix meet, opined the Indian Olympic Association(IOA)and city MP Suresh Kalmadi here today.

Mr Kalmadi who is also the president of the Asian Athletic Association (AAA) today made a visit to the venue to assess the progress being made in the preparation of the Asian Grand Prix meeting to be held here on May 26.

Talking to UNI after inspecting the ultra modern infra-structure and other related facilities, the IOA chief expressed satisfaction and said he would still like to have the most modern amenities which should not leave any room for any shortcomings or complaints from the galaxy of Asian athletes who will vie for honours in one day meet.

As many as 130 atheletes-men and women from 21 countries along with fifty international technical officials will come to Pune for the participation. The meet assumes importance as it would be considered as a barometer to select the Indian men and women 4 x100 m relay squad to take part in the Dhoa-Qatar Asian Games slated to held next year.

The Asian Grand Prix meeting will feature nine events in men and identical nine events in the womens'section respectively to be held under floodlights due to the opressive summer climatic condition prevailing this time of the year.

The Asian Grand Prix meet will be held at Bangkok on May 18 followed by Bangalore on May 22 and the last will be at Pune on May 26.

Pune now considered as the first sports city of the country, now boasts of having three synthetic tracks -- one at the Shiv Chhtarapati Sports City at Mahalunge -Balewadi and the other at Army Sports Institute (ASI) for the benefit of the athletes from Maharashtra particularly of the city.

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