Students of Pillai Sports Academy, Rasayani continued to perform well at higher level with winning two silver and a bronze for Maharashtra in the recently concluded West Zone Jr. National Athletics Meet at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The meet which supposed to be held from 24th to 27th August, 2013 at Baroda has been changed to Gandhinagar at last moment due to inclement weather and athletes were made to travel every day from Baroda to Gandhinagar for competition. The accommodation was provided at Baroda without food facility to the athletes in any of the venue. With all these troublesome situations Pillai Sports Academy Athletes, who practised most of the time on the road made it exceptionally well at synthetics track of SAI Gandhinagar.
Diptesh Utekar, 11th Std. student of Pillai HOC International School won the 100 meter Bronze Medal in Under 18 years category with a timing of 11.20 seconds. The team has lodged a protested as the winner seem to be overage and hoping the federation to take right decision soon and Diptesh is waiting for his entry in to the National Inter Zone Athletics meet to be held at Kochi from 22nd to 24th September, 2013. He also assured to win medal at nationals if everything goes properly.
Vishal Lokhare, 12th Std. student won the Silver Medal in 110 High Hurdle with a timing of 14.90 seconds is just miss his gold to the ASI Athlete who clocked 14.79 seconds in Under 18 boys section.
Radha Joshi adjudged Silver Meal in 400 meter low hurdle with a timing of 78.06 seconds. As only two competitors take part in the event as except Maharashtra none of the other 5 states put-up athlete in this prestigious event.
Around two dozen of athletes, practicing at Pillai HOC International school ground over joyed by the performance of their elders at this level. Another Star Athlete from the same academy Tousif Shaikh, who is under treatment for an injury, will be ready by Jr. Nationals and School Nationals. The athlete from Pillai Sports Academy / HOC International School put up an excellent show at the state meet and it is practically visible for their dedication as most of them reached in the finals. The Athletes were struggling to get in to the form due to nonstop rain disrupted practise sessions and most of the practises conducted on the road.
