Excelsior Sports Correspondent
![Winners in SAI’s hunt for elite athletes posing alongwith the dignitaries.](http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/page1213-300x168.jpg)
JAMMU, July 30: Muzaffar Maqbool of Srinagar and Lal Chand, Anjali Choudhary and Suchi Devi of Samba sparkled in the trials-cum-competition of elite Athletes Excellence Programme of the Sports Authority of India for J&K organized at MA Stadium, here today.
The trials were held in 3000m, 5000m and 10,000m events as part of the country wide programme to select promising middle distance runners from across the Country.
The athlete selected through such trials in all States will then be trained at the newly established National Academy for long and middle distance runners at Trivandrum, Kerela.
Kupali Patel Singh, Arjuna Awardee, National Coach in Rhythmic Gymnastics was the chief guest at the concluding function.
She gave away prizes to the winners and the participants on the valedictory function. Earlier, Deputy Director Sports Authority of India Northern Centre, Ajit Singh appreciated the efforts put in by the participating athletes and called upon them to work harder to make a mark for themselves at the international level. He also thanked the J&K State Sports Council for its support and patronage in organizing the event.
Prominent among those present on the occasion included Ranjeet Kalra, member standing committee, J&K State Sports Council, Ravinder Singh, Secretary J&K Athletics Association, Rajan Sharma, Sports Officer Jammu and officers and coaches of the SAI and J&K State Sports Council.