Kohima, Oct 3 (UNI) The Nagaland Athletics Association will host the 56th National Cross Country Championship under the sponsorship of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) in Kohima on January 15 next year, the first ever such national event in the state.

Addressing a press conference here today at Kohima, Abu Metha, President of NAA, Associate Vice President of AFI and Adviser to the Chief Minister said that it will be a first for Nagaland as far as organizing a national level cross country event is concerned. He informed that the national executive meeting of the AFI was held at Rajasthan recently, where it was agreed to let Nagaland host the 56th Cross Country Championships. He said that a team of technical officials of AFI will be visiting Nagaland very soon and will be interacting with state officials to formulate a game plan, route and details of the event.

In the last Cross Country Championships, 500 plus athletes participated, Metha said that NAA is hopeful that such numbers will come and participate in Nagaland. He said that the AFI is of the view that there is a tremendous amount of potential talents in the Northeastern states. However, due to poor resources, lack of infrastructure and support system, the athletes from Northeast states have not done well compared to other parts of the country. AFI is keen to promote the athletes in Northeast and that aspiration will be kick started from hosting national cross country championships in Nagaland, Metha said.
UNI AS GNK