BHUBANESWAR 03-Feb-2013 397
A 14-member Odisha squad, sent by Council of Higher Secondary Education, Odisha, bagged four gold and two bronze medals in the 58th National Schools Athletics Meet, which concluded at the Saefai stadium in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, yesterday.
Sprinter Dutee Chand achieved a hat-trick, winning three gold medals. She stood first in under-19 girls` 100, 200 and 400 metre sprints. With her superb performance, Chand won a Tata Nano car as the individual champion in her group.
Sekunta Kulu won the other gold in under-17 girls` long jump. The two bronze medals were secured by Shalini Kispota and Biplabini Sa in under-17 gilrls` discus throw and 200 metre sprint respectively. Chintan Brahma was the manager of the Odisha squad.
Kerala clinched the overall championship for the 16th time with a haul of 33 gold, 26 silver and 18 bronze medals and an overwhelming tally of 304 points. Maharashtra (12-12-6, 106 points) and Punjab 8-10-12, 88 points) finished second and third. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav gave away the prizes at the closing ceremony.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOTO: Dutee Chand with the Tata Nano car in Etawah on February 2, 2013.