Ban ends,Ashwini set for relay return

In an attempt to improve the womens 4x400m relay squads chances at the Asian Athletics Championships,the Athletics Federation of India is set to field double Asian Games gold medallist Ashwini Akkunji,who completed her two-year ban for a steroid violation on Thursday.

Ashwini,part of the relay team that won gold at Guangzhou,participated in a selection trial conducted on Thursday morning at the practice arena of the Shiv Chhaterpati Sports Complex with the selectors keen to gauge her form.

According to the original team list,the four-member team consists of Keralas Anu Mariam Jose,Anil Da Thomas,Sarita and West Bengals Priyanka Mondal.

However,though Ashwini didnt top the trials conducted on Thursday,it is likely that one of the four could make way for the Karnataka runner.

AFI secretary CK Valson said that the final decision to field Ashwini was with the selectors.