Pooovamma to race in Almaty

HYDERABAD: Karnataka athlete MR Poovamma, who missed the National inter-state athletics, will get another chance to qualify for the London Olympics at the Asian All Star athletics meet beginning in Almaty, Kazakhstan on Saturday.
"She is fit and she will race in Almaty," a top AFI official told TOI. India had taken entries for a 13-member contingent but now after four withdrawals the size of the contingent has dwindled to nine.
The meet will also provide another chance to Olympic aspirants Asian Games champion Joseph G Abraham (men's 400m hurdles) and Kunhumohammed (men's 400m).Both the athletes came close to the mark in the inter-state meet.
Commonwealth Games silver medallist long jumper MA Prajusha is another athlete in the Indian squad who is nurturing London hopes. "I will try my best and if God willing I will qualify," said Prajusha after coming close to the meet record in women's triple jump. Earlier, she had won the gold in long jump.
Prajusha's coach MA George is certain that she has in it to qualify for the Olympics. "She is definitely capable but only that she was unable to perform to her potential in the last one year," George said.
Among the other members of the Indian squad were Tintu Luka (women's 800m), Sahana Kumari (women's high jump) and Pradeep (men's 1500m).
Those who pulled out were Renjith Maheswary, (triple jump), Ankit Sharma (long jump), Sinimol Paulose (800, 1500) and Jithin Paul (400m).