400m national athletics in Dharamshala on October 22-23 to choose athletes for Olympics

Dharamshala, October 17, 2017: As the Athletics Federation of India has decided to conduct an exclusive National Championship in the 400m this year. The first ever National 400m Championships for men and women and for boys and girls in various age groups – under-20, -18 and-16 is being staged at Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, on October 22 and 23. This shall be the first major national event at this centre. It is said that this championship, the AFI shall bring out some new talent in the 400m and the relay. The winners of this event shall book their place in next year’s Commonwealth Games and Asian Games and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics
According to Mr C.K. Valson Secretary AFI, the meet was decided in the last Annual General Meeting held in April 2016, to organise the Inaugural National Championships in 400m at Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh) on 22nd and 23rd October 2017. The Championships will be held in the following age groups: Men and Women Under 20 - Boys and Girls Under 18 - Boys and Girls Under 16 - Boys and Girls (Above 14 years).

“The main aim to conduct this Championship is to have more depth in 400m and to identify the talented Athletes for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games/Asian Games and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games as was done in case of Race Walk Event in which Race Walkers have performed extremely well at world level,” he added.
One of the member of the organising committee, the veteran national athletic and Vice President of Himachal Pradesh Athletics Association Mr. Vikram Chaudhary said ,”400 metres athletic meet is being organised at Dharamshala Synthetic Stadium by District Kangra Athletics Association in ages with Himachal Pradesh Athletic Association , under the banner of Athletics Federation of India .”
He added that a total number of 300-350 athletes and 50 Officials shall participate in this maiden national sports show.
As the code of conduct for coming assembly elections is already on in Himachal the meet shall now be inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Mr C P Verma , depending upon his availability
The AFI will also conduct a javelin throw Nationals later this year to give a boost to the event which has brought it some impressive results at the last Asian and World junior championships. The dates for the javelin throw Nationals are yet to be announced.