New Delhi: On Saturday, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) announced the inclusion of race walking in the upcoming National Games in Uttarakhand, reversing its earlier decision to exclude the event despite its significant popularity in the region.

The AFI has communicated to the organizing committee that a 20km race walking event for men and a 10km race walking event for women will be conducted.

This decision followed a compelling appeal from the hosts, who emphasized the event's importance as a potential medal opportunity. The Uttarakhand Olympic Association had formally requested AFI to reassess its prior ruling. A report by HT on Friday highlighted the disappointment felt by local race walkers and the organizing committee due to the unexpected omission of race walking.

Suraj Panwar, a race walker who competed in the Paris Olympics, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “It is wonderful to learn that a race-walking competition will take place. We have been diligently training to secure medals for our state, and the removal of the event was disheartening. We are eager to compete in front of our home audience,” remarked the reigning National Games champion in the 20km race walk.

Uttarakhand, recognized as the birthplace of race walking in India, secured five medals in this discipline during the last two National Games held in Gujarat and Goa.

Previously, the AFI had informed the Games Technical Conduct Committee that “after thorough evaluation, the technical committee determined that including the race walk event would not serve the best interests of the top athletes.”

The AFI technical committee aims to ensure that elite race walkers participate in select competitions to optimize their performance for major international events. This year, the emphasis will be on achieving excellence at the Asian Championships in Korea in May and the World Championships in Tokyo in September.

Additionally, the AFI has requested the organizers to engage international judges to ensure that the results of the National Games are recognized by World Athletics.

Read Also: Rohit Sharma Voices Discontent Over BCCI's New Directives During Press Conference

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!