With Jharkhand taking a long time in taking a decision whether to host the Asian Athletics Championships or not, the national capital has emerged as a contender for the prestigious event to be held in July.
Ranchi was in the reckoning for the July 3-7 event after Tamil Nadu government refused to host the Championships on political grounds.
Athletics Federation of India president Adille Sumariwala told PTI that since Jharkhand has been put under President's Rule, the decision taking process there has been slow and the AFI will have to look for other options.
"We have submitted a report to Jharkhand administrators on the feasibility of hosting the Championships in Ranchi. But it has taken long time to take the decision as the state is under the President's Rule. So, Delhi has become a strong option for us to host the event," said Sumariwala who was elected AFI president yesterday on the first day of the two-day AGM here.
"It's not that we have spoken to Delhi government just now. Even while trying to convince Jharkhand administrators, we had also sounded out Delhi government if they are willing to host the event. The Delhi government has expressed its willingness to host the championships," he said.
Sumariwala said since Delhi has international air connectivity and top-class hotel facilities, the national capital was the best city to host the event, if the government agreed to foot the bill.
"Delhi has top class stadium (in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium), it has connectivity with various international cities and no issues with hotel facilities. So once the government agrees to finance the event, it is the best place," he said.
