'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
New Delhi, September 16, 2013:
The 19th edition of the Coca-Cola Salwan Cross Country Run is being organized on 10th November, 2013 at the Army Equestrian Centre, Brar Square, Delhi Cantt. In an effort to promote the principles of fair play, the organizers have tied up with SRL Limited to conduct age and dope verification tests for the participants and winners in all categories.
Commenting on the run, Ms. Samrata Diwan (Director-Communications) said, “We have a formal medical system in place where the winners/participants would be verified for age verification and dope testing. We want clean and fair sports at the grassroots level. It is a pity that last year 16-year olds were caught doping and the top 6 runners in the under-18 age group were all over-age. Many over-age students did not want these tests to be carried out on them and hence dropped out voluntarily. We want to inculcate a sense of pride and self-discovery in the next-generation through the inspirational power of running, more so to recognize the dignity of the human spirit”.
Commending Salwan Cross Country Run in its bid to ensure a fair competition and create a level playing field, Dr Bharatinder Singh – Member Medical and Anti Doping Committee, Indian Olympic Committee and World Squash Federation said, “Most youth sports around the world are classified on the basis of chronological age to guarantee equal chances within each of the different age groups. The standing of these youth competitions has increased to the stage at which there may be considerable rewards, individual fame or national prestige associated with winning, not only for the athlete but for the coach and his or her entourage or institution. This has also resulted in the use of performance enhancing drugs. Both of these are against the spirit of sports and undermine the principles of fair play and protection of the athlete’s right to compete in a fair and drug free competition. Hence, it is imperative that we have such tests and rigorous checks in place – not only to ensure a level playing field, but also to raise awareness at a young age against such malpractices. It is a great initiative by the organisers of The Salwan Cross Country Run to test both age and for drugs in the event for the 2nd year.”
SRL Limited has been roped in to carry out the age and dope verification tests.
“It is not simply endurance, but a sense of fair play too that is the hallmark of true champions. At SRL we believe that how you win counts too. Our screening tests can pick up the possible use of any unfair substances for performance enhancement “, says Mr. Sanjeev Vashishta, CEO of SRL Diagnostics, echoing the sentiments of numerous parents who want their children to learn to win fair and square.
This year’s edition promises to be tougher as a challenging route has been defined and more children from rural areas including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and the North-East are expected to participate, cutting across all demographics. Having entered the Limca Book of Records, the challenge before the organizers is to repeat this template across India so that more children focus on good health and fair play, thus creating a vast bank of budding athletes.
In an effort to reach out to everyone across the student community, the organizers have tied up with ‘Special Olympics Bharat’ and the NGO ‘Butterflies’ to get 1700 differently-abled children, street kids and visually impaired children to participate in the 4.5 km run, which is also being supported by UNICEF and The British Council.
Started in 1995 on a budget of Rs. 2500/- with 300 students, the 19th edition of the race this year will be supported by adequate police security and a large number of volunteers from the community including sports instructors, who wish to send a clear message to start a sports curriculum in schools across India and create promotional avenues for their professional growth too.
Students / Institutions can log on to http://salwanmarathon.co.in for online registration, the last date being 31st October 2013.
Volunteers who wish to run 4.5 kms with the visually impaired children can also log on to the same link above for details.
