Sigra stadium trials on 16 September will pick Varanasi's squad for the UP athletics championships

Varanasi's track and field athletes have a big date coming up. The district team for this month's state championships will be chosen at selection trials on Wednesday, 16 September, at Dr Sampurnanand Sports Stadium in Sigra. The trials cover two state meets under the UP Athletics Association — the 6th UP State Under-23 Athletics Championship and the 29th UP State Senior Athletics Championship, both due in Bareilly on 26–27 September. Men and women will be tested across the full programme: races from 100m up to 10,000m, hurdles, the high, long and triple jumps, and the shot put, discus, javelin and hammer throws. According to Varanasi District Athletics Association secretary Ramesh Kumar Yadav, more than 200 athletes from over half a dozen training grounds across the district are expected. The stakes go beyond Bareilly. Strong performers in the Under-23 section can move on to the national championship in Jaipur in mid-October, while senior winners can earn a place in the Uttar Pradesh team for the National Open Senior Athletics Championship in New Delhi. For a city proud of its sporting talent, it is a chance for young athletes to take the next step — and a good day for families and coaches to turn up at Sigra and cheer them on.

Compiled by HelloBanaras from public sources: Amar Ujala