122 players turn up for SAI Centre trials

Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, February 20

As many as 122 players (boys and girls) attended the selection trials for induction in the local training centre of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) here on Wednesday.

These trials were organised to enrol talented players in the age group from 12 to 18 years in athletics, judo, weightlifting and table tennis disciplines, besides in the age group from 10 to 14 years in the handball event under the residential and day-boarding scheme of the SAI.

Giving details of the selection process, Harbans Singh, in-charge and coordinator of the SAI Training Centre, said the first three position holders in the district, state and national level tournaments were eligible to appear in these trials.

“Aspirants will be tested to examine their abilities and endurance like 30m flying-run, standing-vertical jump, 6x10m shuttle run, ball throw test and 800m run,” he said.

The selected players would be examined for age verification by a panel of doctors from the local Civil Hospital, followed by verification of sports achievement certificates and their names would be recommended for induction with the training centre as per the available seats.

Harbans Singh added that it was expected that 25 to 30 boys would be selected under the residential scheme, who would be provided facilities such as sports kit, lodging and boarding, education expenses, insurance cover, medical assistance, besides sports equipment and free of cost training by the qualified coaches.

There is no provision for international exposure during the course of the training as per the norms of the SAI, he clarified.

“Around 30 to 35 boys and girls would be shortlisted under the day-boarding scheme and would be provided with sports kit, lodging, insurance cover, medical expenses, sports equipment and training,” the in-charge said.

After the trials, the recommended players would appear for an interview before the chairperson, Ajit Singh, director in-charge, SAI Northern Regional Centre, Chandigarh.