Second batch of athletes leave for South Africa

Patiala, Mar 8 (UNI) The second batch of five top quarter milers (400m) in the country, left for South Africa for a training-cum- competition schedule.

The athletes are Mohammad Naseem, Virender Pankaj, Rojmani, Vinees Victor and Bhupinder Singh.

Seven Indian women relay athletes (4x400m) and two women discus throwers had gone to South Africa in the first batch on February 12, for six-week training.

The third batch comprising two heptathletes, J J Shobha from Andhra Pradesh and Sushmita Roy from Bengal, is likely to leave for South Africa on March 10, along with national coach Dr Kuntal Roy.

All Indian athletes training in South Africa will return home on April 21 to participate in the upcoming two domestic meets, perhaps in Patiala and Ludhiana in the last week of April and Federation Cup slated for May 10 to 13 in New Delhi.

UNI