Hundreds of archers from all over the country, students and people from all walks of life, paid a glowing tribute to late Indian coach Cherukuri Lenin by taking part in the “Run for Archery”, a 10k run, organised in memory of the coach in city on Sunday. Clad in t-shirts and caps, the participants chanted “Lenin amar rahe” as they went through the thoroughfares of the city.
Speaking at the flag-off function, District Collector Peeyush Kumar exhorted archers to strive hard to bring more laurels to India. “It is Lenin's dream that at least one archer from Vijayawada should be in the Indian team for the 2012 Olympics. Let is all join hands to make his realise his dream,” he added.
However, much to the disappointment of the organizing committee, the participation from the schools and colleges was not encouraging as only a few hundred took part in the run.
Despite the clear instructions from District Collector Peeyush Kumar, who had instructed the District Education Officer Venkatsubbaiah to depute Physical Education Teachers and encourage as many students as possible to take part in the run, no apparent efforts were made by the District Education Officer to bring in more number of students.
“This run is an inspiration to the youth. Lenin, in just 24 years, had achieved many laurels. It is unfortunate that many school and college students did not turn up,” felt a member of the organising committee.
When contacted, Mr. Venkatasubbaiah said that he had instructed the Deputy Education Officer Krishna Reddy on Saturday to convey the news to the schools managements. “When the run was on Sunday, I got the oral information from the DEO to inform the schools on Saturday evening. I tried my best to contact the schools,” said Mr. Reddy when media persons contacted him over phone.
The efforts from the Krishna District Olympic Association were also lukewarm as just a few sport administrators affiliated to KDOA were seen taking part in the run.
When asked KDOA secretary K.P. Rao said that as there was a condolence meeting of a district volleyball administrator Surireddy Satyanarayana (Nallababu), many could not make it. But quite interestingly the meeting was at 10. 30 a.m. while the run was flagged off at 8 a.m.
In the evening, the senior National archery championship was inaugurated amidst colourful march past by the archers from 34 teams, including eight representing institutions.
Mr. Malladi Vishnu, MLA, District Sports Development Officer B. Sudhakar, SAAP regional deputy director G. Chinnaiah, Archery Association of India vice-president Anil Kamineni and others took part in the inaugural function.
