Athletics Federation of India's ambitious grassroot programme, the National Inter-District Junior Athletics Meet (NID-JAM) beginning on September 5 has received a record entry with 3884 boys and girls taking part in the event.
The AFI has received entries of 2074 boys and 1210 girls for both the Under-16 and Under-14 age groups for this year's three-day championships. Around 600 coaches, both male and female, will be accompanying the teams.
The Shriram Properties sponsored NID-JAM is scheduled to be held in Visakhapatnam's Diamond Jubilee Outdoor Stadium from September 5-7.
The Government of Andhra Pradesh has come forward to support this mega initiative which is touted as the biggest grassroot initiative for any sports in India.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is expected to inaugurate the event by gracing the Opening Ceremony on September 5.
A team from the AFI will also be spotting young talent at the event for the national youth camp on the basis of their performance here. The 2015 NID-JAM Championships will feature a total of 30 events in both track and field action in both age categories.
On this occasion, 2003 World Championships bronze medal winner Anju Bobby George, said, "I'm excited about meeting the talent from almost all the districts in the country at the Shriram Properties NID-JAM 2015.
"The fact that almost all the districts champions will be performing at one place makes it a unique championships. It's important to tap talent at the right age and provide them with good facilities and support system," she said in a release.
CEO of Shriram Properties, R Balaji said, "As a passionate sports lover it is my dream to see Indian athletes win medals at Olympics. We at Shriram Properties have been promoting athletics and road races in various cities and are extremely proud to be associated with Athletics Federation of India and Government of Andhra Pradesh for this path-breaking Championships.
