Ranchi to host the 22nd Asian Athletics Championship in 2017

The Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Ranchi

Jharkand’s capital Ranchi has been awarded the 22nd Asian Athletics championship to be held in 2017, as reported by IBN. The decision was taken by the 83rd Council Meeting of the Asian Athletics Association in Manila, Philippines.

The championships which are held every two years, will return to India after a gap of four years. Pune hosted the 2013 version of the championships. This is the third time the meet will take place in India, with Delhi being the first Indian city to host the Championship back in 1989.

The exact date of the event has not been announced yet. It will be announced in February next year during AAA Council meet in Doha.

Wuhan in China hosted the 21st Asian Athletics championship in 2015, where India finished third behind China and Qatar in the medals tally, with a total of 13 medals. Four Indian athletes won the gold medal in their respective events.

Inderjeet Singh in shotput, Vikas Gowda in Discus throw, Tintu Luka in 800m and Lalita Babar in the 3000m steeplechase.

Jharkhand Sports Minister Amar Bauri announced on Friday about the games being awarded to the state capital, according to Etv Jharkhand. He stated that this is a big honour for the state and that the authorities have already started the preparations for the event. He also wants the state athletes to raise their game for the tournament which is to be held in their backyard.

This isn't the first time that Ranchi will hold a major international event. The city had played host to the National Games in 2011. The experience of which can prove to be a helping hand for the authorities. Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium hosted the opening ceremony and the athletics events for the National Games, and one can expect that the same stadium will host the 2017 event.