28 athletes qualified from North and Central India in the state trials of GAIL Indian Speedstar

A total of 317 kids selected at the district trials from different districts of New Delhi (70), Jammu (6), Uttarakhand (15), Madhya Pradesh (46) and Uttar Pradesh (180) participated in the event along with 9 shortlisted wild card entrants who were selected a day prior to the state trials. The event was part of the initiative taken by National Yuva Cooperative Society (NYCS) as part of nationwide campaign to find out athletes for 2020/2024 Olympics.

Among the 28 qualifiers from today’s trials were 8 girls and 20 boys.

In under-14 category Nihal S (New Delhi), Nisar Ahmed (New Delhi) and Milan Bhosle (Indore) qualified in 100m category. In 200m category Anshul (New Delhi), Nikhil Som (Meerut), Md. Kohinoor Ali (New Delhi), Nihal S (New Delhi), Dishan Yadav (Guna) and Shubham Sharma (Allahabad) qualifies in under-14 boys category. In the same age category in girls Cynthia Francis and Payal from New Delhi qualified for both 100m and 200m category.

Meanwhile, in 100metres under-17 boys category Nuzrat (New Delhi), Badal Shokeen (New Delhi), Rishab Riskeshwar (New Delhi), Shivang Mishra (Allahabad), Shubam (Meerut) and Harsh Ahlawat (Meerut) qualified and in girls in the same category Donalda Francis, Shabnam and Radhima Gulati qualified from New Delhi. In 200 metres under -17 category, only one girl Mona from New Delhi qualified. In boys category, Aakash (Meerut), Akshay Nain (New Delhi), Shivang Mishra (Allahabad), Badal Shokeen (New Delhi), Rishab Riskeshwar (New Delhi) and Shadad Chaudhary (Meerut) qualified.

In 800 metres under-17 girls category, Ankita Chahal (New Delhi) and Sadana Nishad (Gorakhpur) qualified and in boys Nitin (New Delhi), Saddam Khan (Gorakhpur), Anshul (Meerut) and Akshay Nain (New Delhi) qualified.

Speaking on the occasion, Jyoti Kumar, Chief Manager Corporate Communications, GAIL (India) Limited said, "We are very proud to conduct the state trials for North India successfully. We have selected some of the best talents not only from North and Central India but also from Rajasthan and Odisha state trials held earlier this year. The talent and enthusiasm of these athletes has immensely impressed everyone present today at the event. I am sure we will scout the best talents from the remaining state trials in Kerala, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Gujarat."

The first State level camp and trial was organized on Feb 27-28 in Jaipur, Rajasthan where 60 boys and girls participated out of which 4 have qualified for the next level. In Odisha State Trials held on Apr 1 a total of 108 kids along with 5 shortlisted wild card entrants participated, out of which 12 athletes qualified for the national trials.

The remaining state trials will be held in Kerala, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Gujarat in this month. The shortlisted athletes from these state trials will participate in the National camp and selection which is scheduled to be held in May 2016 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.

The top 9 athletes who meet the benchmark set by the National selection committee headed by the legendary PT Usha with the other members being Olympians, Rachita Mistry, Anuradha Biswal and Asian and Commonwealth Games medalist, Kavita Raut, will be provided specialized training so as to prepare them for the 2020/2024 Olympics.