Kolkata club aid for aspiring Hill runners

SNS, DARJEELING, 23 NOVEMBER 21 : Kolkata Ultra Trust (KUT) is all set to provide support to young runners in the Hills so that they can participate in national and international level running events.

Scouting for children will be done here by the KUT in association with VikRun Foundation. "Kolkata Ultra is the oldest running club at Kolkata, which also has a Trust. We are reaching out to the running community for talented athletes and supporting those who are needy.We are trying to reach all corners of Bengal to find such talents," said Srinivas Vedula from the KUT.

"We air collaborating with VikRun Foundation so as to scout for young talents front this part and take t hem to the national and international levels," he added.

Adding to that, founder member of Vikrun Foundation Vikram Rai said, "A sponsorship and scholarship programme for young runners is being started where things like nutritional support, stipend, running gear, technical support and training

will be prodded to those who are chosen."

According to Mr Rai, the selection criteria will be that s/he should be a consistent performer over the last 2 to 3 years at the district or state or national levels in athletics/running, gross family earnings should be less than Rs 10,000 per month and will have to represent KUT and sponsors in all events during the sponsorship period.

He maintained that the sponsorship will cover a minimum monthly allowance, nutritional support, athlete apparels, along with shoes and technical gear. It will also look after participation expenses (including registration, travel, boarding and lodging) in various private recognised events and state/national events, along with guidance an d monitor in guilder India's top coaches.

"The main idea is to take Darjeeling to the national level platform and to make the region into a running destination. We will be choosing from different marathons like the one to be organised by the police on 3rd December," Mr Rai said.