Budding athletes displayed enthusiasm at the junior athletics meet that marked the culmination of summer athletics coaching camp for 21 days at the Kallukuzhi railway ground here recently.
The meet conducted jointly by the Rail Sports Club Athletics Academy and Tiruchi unit of Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu attracted 150 youngsters, a majority of them beginners. N. Annavi, former international high jumper and head coach of the camp, said that the athletics meet for trainees was introduced six years ago for the summer coaching camp that was being conducted for 20 years.
“The meet, we believe, will expose the aspirants to competitive athletics. It will also enable us to spot promising talents,” he said.
Appreciating the encouragement from the parents, Mr. Annavi said their support was crucial to the success of the camp.
At the valediction, Perumal Ramasamy, former decathlete, distributed the prizes in the presence of P. Kalaiselvan, District Sports Officer, and N. Sethuraman, president of the academy.
Best performers
The following were adjudged best performers in the camp in different age categories:
Boys: Johanerthan Victor (under-6); Athithiya Bala and C.S. Kurian (under-8); Hemachanderan (under-10); Varun (under-12); Simma Sandeep and Karthikeyan (under-14); Priyadharsan and Anandan (under-16); and A. Mothi Arun and C.P. Rahul (above 16).
Girls: Kavi Priya and Sastha Harini (under-8); Karina Nalli and Johanna (under-10); Kevinaa Ashwinee (under-12); S. Kaviya and Arthi Monika (under-14); and Nall Nadiya and Manisha (under-16).
