Indian Athletics Series Final to feature stars at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on September 10

New Delhi: New Delhi will host the invitational prize money Indian Athletics Series Final at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on September 10, with the country's leading track and field athletes, including members of the Japan Asian Games-bound squad, set to compete.

The season-ending event, being organised under the aegis of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), will feature 31 events, including 16 for women. Athletes will be invited based on their national rankings in their respective disciplines.

AFI president Bahadur Singh Sagoo said the top eight ranked athletes in each track and field event would qualify for the final, while the men's and women's 1500m and 3000m steeplechase will have fields of 12 athletes each.

"The AFI has sent invitations to all eligible athletes. The deadline to confirm participation is August 10," Sagoo said on Tuesday.

He added that if any of the top eight athletes decline or fail to confirm their participation, the next best-ranked athlete from a reserve list of four competitors will receive an invitation.

Rankings for the final have been prepared on the basis of performances until the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships, held in Bhubaneswar from June 24 to 28.

Several Olympians and national record holders currently occupy the top spots in their respective events. Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra, with a best throw of 85.69m this season, is ranked second in the men's javelin behind Rohit Yadav, who leads with 87.05m.

National record holder Gurindervir Singh tops the men's 100m rankings, while Animesh Kujur leads the 200m and Vishal TK heads the 400m standings. Newly crowned national champion Sarvesh Anil Kushare is ranked first in the men's high jump, while Sreeshankar Murali leads the long jump with a season-best effort of 8.38m.

In the women's section, Vithya Ramraj heads both the 400m and 400m hurdles rankings. Middle-distance runner Pooja is ranked No. 1 in the 800m and 1500m, while Praul Chaudhary leads the 3000m steeplechase.

National record holder Jyoti Yarraji tops the women's 100m hurdles rankings with a season-best time of 12.99 seconds. Pooja Singh is ranked first in the women's high jump, while Ancy Sojan leads the long jump rankings.

The Indian Athletics Series Final will also offer prize money, with the top six finishers in every event receiving cash awards. Winners in each discipline will take home Rs 1 lakh.

The men's programme includes the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m steeplechase, 110m hurdles, 400m hurdles, high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault, shot put, hammer throw and javelin throw.

The women's events comprise the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m steeplechase, 100m hurdles, 400m hurdles, high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault, shot put, hammer throw, discus throw and javelin throw.

Tags : Indian athletics, Asian Games, Olympics, Gurindervir Singh, Sarvesh Anil Kushare, Animesh Kujur