Punjab to train 200 athletes in sports wings

Chandigarh, May 18 (UNI) The Punjab Sports Department will train more than 200 athletes in sports wing seats for boys and girls in different schools and coaching centres/sports wings of the state.

They will be given training under the day boarding and residential training scheme, Punjab Sports Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike said here today.

The trainees were short listed during selection trials conducted in the Under-14, Under-17 and Under-19 categories. The Sports Department conducted various established endurance and skill tests to select the athletes.

The selection panel was headed by Former international athlete Brig Labh Singh headed the selection panel. He was assisted by the Sports Department coaches and other officials.

The athletes would be trained for the coming international competitions, including 2010 Commonwealth Games which India would be hosting in New Delhi.

Earlier, renowned former British athletic coach Davis Cement Johnson was invited by the Punjab Sports Department for training the Punjab athletic coaches.

The Sports Department is also planning to lay more than 20 six-a-side synthetic astroturfs in the state.

Meanwhile, Khalsa Collegiate Senior Secondary School, Amritsar topped in roping in 64 budding athletes under the day-scholar scheme. Twenty eight boys are in the Under-17 category while 31are in the Under-19 age group. Five boys are in the Under-14 age group.

Besides, 18 seats have been allotted to the Sports Wing of the Khalsa Collegiate Senior Secondary School.

The Sant Baba Bhag Singh International School, Bhadiana of Jalandhar has been given 20 sports wing seats, including nine for residential training.

Sports Director Pargat Singh said that budding players who were unable to attend selection trials could be adjusted in sports wings under residential or day scholars scheme, provided they meet the qualifying standards laid down by the expert panel headed by Brig Labh Singh.

UNI