Cuttack to host Junior National Gymnastics

Cuttack is set to host the 49th Junior National Gymnastic Championship at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium from January 28 to February 1. ``Over 400 young gymnasts from across the country are expected to participate in the five-day championship,`` Orissa Gymnastics Association secretary Ashok Sahoo told a media conference in Cuttack yesterday. International Rakesh Patra, who won four gold, one silver and one bronze medals in the Tulit Peter Championship in Hungary earlier last year, would lead the seven-member Orissa squad. This will be the fourth major gymnastic event at Cuttack, which earlier staged the Senior Nationals in 1987, Sub-junior Nationals in 1991 and Federation Cup in 1992. A budget of Rs 12 lakh has been estimated for the successful conduct of the ensuing Junior National meet. As host, Orissa hopes to better its last Junior National performance at Jalpaiguri (West Bengal) where it bagged six medals, including two golds, three silvers and a bronze.