Bangalore to stage Asian Grand Prix on May 22

Bangalore, May 18: Star athletes from Asia, including Olympic medallist sprinter Susanthika Jayasinghe of Sri Lanka, will be seen in action at the IV Asian Grand Prix 2006, to be held here on May 22.

About 120 athletes from 16 countries, including the hosts, would compete in the event, to be held under flood lights. This would be the first leg of the three-leg tourney, two of which would be held in the country. The second leg would be hosted by Pune on May 26.

Briefing newspersons here today, Karnataka Athletics Association President G Parameshwara said competitions would be held in 17 events -- nine in men's and the rest in women's category. The Indian challenge would be spearheaded by Olympian long jumper Anju B George.

Apart from Susanthika, who won a bronze in 200 m in the Sydney Olympics, the other star athletes who would take part in the event include Fawzi Ali Shammani of Kuwait (400 m) and Sajad Moradi of Iran (800 m) in men's section, Feng Yun (100 m hurdles), Song Aimin (discus throw), Zhang Qi (shot put), all from China, and Titanan Efimenka of Kyrgystan (high jump).

While the 49-member rpt 49-member Indian squad would be arriving in batches from today, all the foreign athletes would be coming by a chartered flight from Bangkok on May 20.

State broadcaster Doordarshan would telecast the event live.

UNI