Ahmedabad: Gandhinagar-based Children’s Research University (CRU), in association with NJ Charitable Foundation, will organise the SIDI State-Level Athletics Meet – Season 5.0 at Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU) in Surat from Dec 31 to Jan 3.The athletics meet poster was launched on Wednesday.Online registration for the competition will begin on Oct 1 and remain open until Nov 30. Children up to age 15 will be eligible to participate in the competition, which will feature 27 events across four age categories: Under-9, Under-11, Under-13 and Under-15.The events will include various track and field disciplines such as running, jumps, javelin throw, hurdles and ball throw. The organisers have announced a total prize pool of Rs 22 lakh.The top 24 performers in each event will receive prizes, medals and certificates. Across all four categories, 1,296 young athletes will receive awards.CRU has organised the annual athletics meet for the past four years to encourage children to participate in sports and identify promising athletic talent at an early age. Previous editions were held in Nadiad, Vadodara and Surat. According to the university, more than 200 athletes identified through the competitions have since secured admission to district-level sports schools (DLSS).To provide young athletes with professional competition exposure, the organisers will use an Olympic-level photo-finish system and computerised results technology during the event.The NJ Charitable Foundation will also introduce a ‘Future Champions Scholarship’ for outstanding performers in Season 5.0 to encourage talented young athletes to pursue sports and further develop their potential.
