AFI to send eight-member athletics team led by Bapi Hansda to Commonwealth Youth Games

AFI on Tuesday said India will send an eight-member athletics team to the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago. The seventh season of the Commonwealth Youth Games 2023 will be held from August 4 to 11.

Also Read: Australian Open 2023 Badminton: PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth advance to the second round

"Eight-member athletics team will compete at the August 4-11 Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games." The AFI tweeted.

The Indian athletics team for Commonwealth Youth Games consists of Abhay Singh (200m), Navpreet Singh (400m), Bapi Hansda (400mh), Arjun (javelin), Asha Kiran Barla (800m), Shireen Ahluwalia (relay), and Anupriya Sasi (shot put). It is learned that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is not bearing the cost of the participation of the players, and not the Sports Ministry.

According to IOA, the sports ministry in April had given in-principle approval to the participation of Indian athletes at the Commonwealth Youth Games. At that time the letter mentioned 33 participants and also said that financial assistance will be provided as per the norms of the ministry and could be under scheme of assistance to national sports federations (NSFs). The IOA had named a 35-member team that included 24 athletes and 11 officials in four disciplines. The sports ministry addressed the CEO-cum-joint secretary and conveyed its decision to approve the tour but without funding.

The Commonwealth Youth Games were scheduled to be held from August 1 to 7 in 2021. But it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and then the Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. India failed to win any medal in Athletics in the 2017 edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games. While high jumper Tejaswin Shankar led the field in 2015. India won six medals including two gold, one silver, and three bronze medals.

Meanwhile, all the eyes will be set on young sprinter Abhay Singh who has impressed recently and hurdler Bapi Hansda. Abhay Singh will take on the 200-meter race with determination and speed. Navpreet Singh, on the other hand, will face the challenging 400-meter event, showcasing his endurance and strength. Bapi Hansda will exhibit his skills in the 400-meter hurdles, proving his agility and technique.

Also Read: WFI Elections: Wrestler Anita Sheoran files her candidature to succeed Brij Bhushan as the WFI president

In the field events, Arjun will mesmerize spectators with his javelin throws, aiming for the perfect trajectory and distance. Asha Kiran Barla, competing in the 800-meter race, will exhibit her speed and tactical prowess, strategizing her approach to the finish line.

Shireen Ahluwalia, an integral part of the relay team, will demonstrate her seamless baton exchanges and teamwork skills. The relay event demands coordination and unity, and Shireen will be a vital asset in ensuring their success. Anupriya Sasi, participating in the shot put, will showcase her strength and precision in the throws. This event requires not only physical power but also technical finesse, and Anupriya is preparing hard to excel.