Bhubaneswar: As the Indian Grand Prix 3 (IGP 3) concluded yesterday here at the Kalinga Stadium, there was a sense of excitement for all athletes and officials, and not just for the winners. The event hosted in association with Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and Odisha Athletics Association was at par with any international athletic event and was attended by Minister for Sports and Youth Services, Tusharkanti Behera, AFI President, Adille Sumariwala, Sports Secretary, Vineel Krishna and other officials.
At the closing of the event, Secretary to Chief Minister (5T) VK Pandian, felicitated the best athlete of IGP 3; Triple Jumper Abdoola Aboobacker, who qualified for the World Championships and Discus thrower, Navjeet Kaur Dhillon, who qualified for the Commonwealth Games. He also felicitated, Adille Sumariwalla, President AFI, Mr. Radhakrishnan Nair, Chief Coach, Stanley Jones, Chairman Technical Committee, AFI and Mumtaaz Khan, Organisational Delegate, AFI.
Secretary to CM (5T) shared, “ Odisha, in partnership with Athletics Federation of India, has made great strides in the development of athletics in the state. It has not only hosted the 2017 Asian Athletics Championship, set up a High-Performance Centre in Athletics it is also building India’s first indoor athletics stadium which will be a hub for future champions. Hosting the IGP 3 & 4 is yet another step in that direction. We look forward to working with AFI in taking India to greater heights in Athletics.”
Expressing his pleasure to be associated with Odisha Government, President AFI, Adille Sumariwalla, shared, “It is a delight to be associated with Odisha Government. It is always a pleasure to be here. The world class facilities, hospitality and the commitment to develop the sport of Athletics is commendable. The athletes have benefitted from this. And we (AFI) would love to bring bigger Athletics events of International repute to Odisha.”
The National campers not only had a great competition but have also returned with memorable memories. The experience for both winners and participants were alike.
Thanking AFI and Odisha Government, Abdool Aboobacker shared,” Indian Grand Prix is a competition, but being here at Kalinga Stadium, the IGP feels like an international event.”
Navjeet Kaur Dhillon echoes Abdool’s sentiments and thanked AFI and Odisha Government for the great experience at the IGP.
They have all expressed their eagerness to be back here in Odisha for camps and events in the future.