Odisha sets up 13 committees for Asian Athletics meet

The Odisha government on Monday decided to set up 13 different committees for the smooth management of the Asian Athletics Championships, scheduled to be held in July at the Kalinga Stadium here.

The championships would be held for four days beginning from July 6 this year. Around 700 athletes would participate in 42 events -- 21 for men and 21 for women.

After holding a review meeting, chief secretary A.P. Padhi said around 45 countries will participate in the event.

"Around 45 countries would come to Odisha to participate in the event. About 1100 guests including athletes and team officials would be in the state for about 7 days. We have made a detailed action plan for their travel, stay, practice, security and health care," said Padhi.

The event would be branded to showcase the culture, art, sports, tourism and industrial potential of Odisha, he added.

Padhi directed the sports and youth affairs department to make high quality reception, accommodation, health care and security arrangements for the athletes coming from various countries.

Development Commissioner R. Balakrishnan said separate medical teams will be constituted and posted at various hotels where the athletes would be accommodated.

A target has been set to complete the preparatory works at the Kalinga Stadium here by the end of May 2017, said the secretary to sports and youth affairs department Vishal Dev.

"This grand event is being hosted in India for the third time. Asian Athletic Championships were organised at Delhi for the first time in 1989 and at Pune for the second time in 2013," said Dev.

Along with the event, the Asian Athletics Association (AAA) will also hold its 87th Council and Congress.

--IANS

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