The attractive enhanced prize money failed to inspire athletes as the one-day SAI National athletic meet ended in a whimper here on Thursday. The event, held at short notice, turned out to be a glorified inter-SAI meet, with a sprinkling of international stars thrown in to add spice to the meet which offered a total prize money of Rs.10 lakh.
The lean field and mediocre timings were not something which the organisers had bargained for when the meet was conceived to provide much-needed competition to elite athletes.
The women’s long jump was perceived to be the marquee event of the meet with the presence of two internationals Mayookha Johnny and Prajusha and promising jumpers Jenimol Joy and Neena.
But it turned out to a damp squib too as Prajusha was out of form and Mayookha was hardly threatened on her way to the first prize. Mayookha had 6.27m in her fourth attempt after touching 6.17m in her third. Neena (6.14m) took the second post after pushing Prajusha (5.96m) to third spot.
The only close finish of the meet came in the women’s 400m final in which Anilda Thomas (KSSEC) warded off a stiff challenge from Anu Mariam Jose (Mercy Kuttan Academy) to win gold.
The results: Men: 100m: 1. Anuroop John (KSSSC Elite scheme) 10.86s, 2. Yesu Raj (Indian Navy 10.97s, 3. Jijin Vijayan (CAC) 10.98s. 400m: 1. Sachin Roby (IAF) 47.97s, 2. Bibin Mathew (SAI, Tvm) 48.03s, 3. Manu Kuriakose (Kerala University) 48.84s. 1,500m: 1. Sajeesh Joseph (SAI, Tvm) 3:53.26, 2. Mohammed Afsal (Parli HSS) 3:54.46, 3. Raman Yadav (Indian Navy) 3:57.23. Long jump: 1. Raja Oommen (SAI, Tvm) 7.48m, 2. Arshad (IAF) 7.39m, 3. P. Harikrishnan (IAF) 7.25m. Pole vault: 1. K.P. Bimin (SAI, Tvm) 4.80m, 2. P. Balakrishnan (SAI, Bengaluru) 4.60m.
Women: 100m: 1. Neethu Mathew (KSSC Elite scheme) 12.18s, 2. M.M. Anchu (SAI, Bengaluru) 12.44s, 3. Sini Alex (Alphonsa College) 12.61s. 400m: 1. Anilda Thomas (KSSC Elite scheme) 54.64s, 2. Anu Mariam Jose (Mercy Kuttan Academy) 54.92s, 3. Jisha (Parli HSS) 57.83s. 800m: 1. Sini A. Markose (SAI, Tvm) 2:09.29s, 2. Chinju Jose (Indian Police) 2:14.38, 3. Smruthy Mol V. Rajendran (St. George HSS, Kothamangalam) 2:19.70s. Long jump: 1. Mayookha Johny (ONGC) 6.27m, 2. V. Neena (SAI, Tvm) 6.14m, 3. M.A. Prajusha (SAI, Tvm) 5.96m. Pole vault: 1. V.S. Surekha (Railways) 3.70m, 2. K.C. Dija (SAI, Tvm) 3.30m, 3. K.P. Anusha (SAI, Tvm) 3.20m.
