The first Indian Athletics Grand Prix on March 31, the country’s track and field season-opener, has been shifted from Panchkula in Haryana to Patiala.
Base for top athletes
Patiala, in fact, will be the base for the country’s top athletes for almost a month with the Athletics Federation of India also moving the second Indian GP to that city, from Ludhiana.
However, there is no change in the date and it will be held on April 6.
“We have also shifted the Federation Cup from Delhi to Patiala and it will be held on the fixed dates, from April 23 to 26,” said C.K. Valson, the AFI Secretary, on Thursday.
The AFI has also decided to change the date of the third Indian Grand Prix, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on April 13, as it clashes with the national body’s Annula General Meeting in New Delhi on April 13 and 14.
The venue is also likely to be moved and it could be Patiala once again.
“We have changed the venues for the athletes’ convenience, they have to come up and down, so their training schedule could get dislocated. Since they are training at Patiala itself, it is easy for them to compete there,” explained Valson.
“There is no other reason behind it.”
