The International Invitation Relay Competition in Chandigarh on Saturday will feature top sprinters vying for a chance to qualify for the World Athletics Relays in Botswana. This event, taking place at Sector 7 Sports Complex, is crucial for national relay teams aiming to secure a spot in the global relays scheduled for May 2 and 3. Chief athletics coach Radhakrishnan Nair expressed optimism about the team’s performance.
Bhutan, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Nepal will also participate in this invitational relay competition. The Athletics Federation of India announced that the competition in Botswana will include six relay events, such as 4x100m and 4x400m for both men and women, along with mixed relays. The qualification period for the World Athletics Relays began on January 1, 2025, and will conclude on April 5, 2026.
Animesh Kujur, a prominent male sprinter and national record holder, emphasized the importance of giving their best performance to secure a place at the World Relays. The national relay teams are striving to meet the qualification criteria, with specific time targets set for each event. Notably, Olympian Rajesh Ramesh and Vishal TK, the national men’s 400m record holder, will play crucial roles in the national 4x400m relay team.
The chief national athletics coach is confident in the team’s abilities and hopes for success in meeting the required standards. Following the competition, World Athletics will reveal the top 24 teams eligible to compete in Botswana. Additionally, the National Open Relay Competition’s third edition will run concurrently at the same venue.
