800+ athletes from 30 districts, including Paris Olympics hopefuls, and 9 international medalists will vie for 124 medals in 36 events by June 3
National record-holding athletes, including shot putter Abha Khatau and hurdler Tejas Sirse, will showcase their talent at the 72nd Maharashtra State Senior Athletics Championship in Nagpur from June 1-3. Organized jointly by the Nagpur District Athletics Association and Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, the event marks a 45-year hiatus for the championship at RTMNU’s synthetic track in Ravi Nagar. Over 800 athletes from 30 districts, including Paris Olympics hopefuls, and nine international medalists will compete. The event includes 36 competitions for both men and women, with a total of 124 medals set to be awarded by the championship’s end on June 3.
According to the latest entries, a total of 685 male and 325 female athletes have confirmed their participation in the championship, as revealed by Sanjay Bhende, President of the Organising Committee, during a recent press conference. Nagpur will be strongly represented in the event, with 67 athletes from the city set to compete. Adarsh Bhure will lead the 40-member men’s team, while Prajkta Godbole will lead the 27-member women’s team. The Nagpur District Athletics Association is optimistic about their athletes’ performances, with notable contenders including Neha Dhabale, Riya Dohatare, Nayan Sarde, and Sadab Pathan. The championship also doubles as selection trials for national tournaments. Supported by Dande Hospital, Maitree Pariwar Sanstha, and Krida Bharati, the event will commence with an inauguration ceremony featuring Olympian Anand Menzies and Pro Vice Chancellor of RTMNU, Dr. Sanjay Dudhe. Additionally, the Maharashtra squad for the senior inter-state tournament in Panchkula will be chosen based on performances here.
Former Director of Sports at RTMNU, Dr. Dhananjay Welukar, provided insights into the university’s newly constructed synthetic track. “This will be the first major event on this track. The synthetic track has been constructed recently and has passed all quality tests in the small events that have been hosted on it,” he said proudly.
Dr. Pinak Dande from Dande Hospital emphasized the significance of medical care during the scorching summer days.”With summer at its peak and in the midst of ‘nautapa’, we have planned a few major things including a cool medical room, OPD and quick ambulance service in case of emergency,” he said.
NDAA President Gurudeo Nagrale, Dr Sanjay Chaudhary, Umesh Naidu, Ramchandra Wani, Archana Kottewar, coaches, managers and many players of Nagpur teams were present during the press conference.