With less than a fortnight to go for the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, neither the organisers nor the Indian participants, nor the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is clear about who will get the top billing among Indian athletes for the prestigious event on November 9.Among the worried lot of participants is national-record holder in men’s10,000 metres Surendra Singh and top woman long-distance runner Kavita Raut. Their worry is not without basis because with the status comes the five-star accommodation and other benefits like the use of official transport etc.As per the rules, the organisers provide accommodation to top ten Indian athletes, including five in the women’s section, and their top billing is generally based on their previous year’s performance. Like their counterparts from abroad, they too are entitled to all benefits besides getting an opportunity to interact with the world-class runners while staying with them. But in a passing-the-buck drama enacted by the two parties — the AFI and organisers Procam — the real sufferers seem to be the runners. The organisers say the delay in releasing the list of Indian athletes is because the AFI has not provided them with their rankings. But AFI washes its hands of saying it is the job of the organisers as the entries are with them.“In any case, it's the prerogative of the organisers whom all they want to include. Since AFI is not fielding its team, the onus is on the organisers to provide us the list of entries. Once we get it, we can provide them the rankings,” said a top AFI official.However, the athletes and coaches have a different view altogether. “When they (the organisers) can name the list of foreign participants well in advance, what is the hitch in releasing the list of Indian athletes,” asked a top athlete. “Thinking about rankings and placing during the event can majorly occupy their mind and affect their performance,” said Services coach KS Mathew, whose trainees are expected to take part in the event.Unlike foreign athletes, Indians with lesser or no ranking have to fend for themselves. In fact, several participants for this year’s event are not ranked highly by the IAAF. However, they will be entitled to all the benefits.Long-distance runner Kavita Raut called up former international marathoner Sunita Godara requesting her to make some arrangements for her to stay since she hasn't heard from the organsiers. “I am trying to sort out her problem,” said Godara, adding, “I don't see any logic behind the delay. It gives a kind of a wrong message. They should have declared the names on the same day when the list of foreign athletes was released.”
