The Athletic Federation of India has taken steps to send 29 first-class athletes from India to participate in the 101st National Athletic Championship with the hope of qualifying for the World Athletic Championship 2023.

The Athletic Nationals conducted by Sri Lanka Athletic (SLA) will be held from July 28-30 at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo.

The Indian athletic team is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka on July 26, SLA president Major General Palitha Fernando told the media in Colombo today  (20).

This year's Athletic Nationals are also important for Sri Lankan athletes and currently only Commonwealth sprint bronze medallist  Yupun Abeykoon and 4x400m Men's Relay team have qualified for the 2023 world championships.

SLA hopes going by Sri Lanka's performance at the Asian Athletic Championship more athletes will qualify for the World Championship.

The last day to qualify for the World Athletic Championship 2023 is July 30. The World Athletic Championship is scheduled to be held from August 19-27 in Budapest, Hungary.

Meanwhile, 756 athletes have applied to participate in the 101st Athletic Nationals. Of these, 537 are men and 219 are women.

Apart from India, national  athletes from Maldives are also scheduled to participate in the Nationals. (Susil Premalal)