MAAA secretary general Prahlad Sawant said the objective was to explore the possibilities of sportspersons from Maharashtra garnering the maximum tally of medals in the upcoming 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games, while at the same time ensuring transparency in the day-to-day working of the state association.

The MAAA is divided into seven zones — Kolhapur, Pune, Marathwada, Nasik Mumbai ,Amravati and Nagpur. And to have first-hand information, Sawant will tour all seven zones.

“The Athletic Year will begin from Thursday,” he said.

“During the year, we will launch our website to provide access to all its 30 affiliated district units to gain every possible details pertaining to its history, names of office bearers, annual athletics calendar, national calendar, selection committees, other 14 committees and other related information.”

Sawant added that each district would have a separate page giving all concerned information.

In a tie-up with the AFI, the Maharashtra senior and junior athletic meets will now be held in the month of June every year while the district meets will be conducted in May. In addition, coaching camps will be conducted on short- and long-term basis.

Maharashtra slogan ‘Go For Gold,’ coined for the 2008 CYG, will be given the maximum boost so that the sports persons from the state garner more medals.

The MAAA will also make efforts to translate the International Association of Athletic Federation (IAAF)’s rules book into Marathi. Sawant and Ram Bhagwat have been designated with the task. Seminars for coaches, officials and women organisers will also be conducted in all districts.

Sawant along with R B Patil of Kolhapur and Ranjit Rane of Sindudurg will kickstart the first phase of the campaign from Kolhapur Zone from January 10 to14 and will visiting Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, Sindudurg and Ratnagiri.

Five per cent job reservation for sports persons: MAAA
The MAAA office-bearers will finalise the 14 district committees to initiate dialogues regarding the Shiv Chhtarapati awards and Dadoji Kondev awards with past and present internationals along with the District Sports Officer to know their schemes and problems. Information will be extended to the districts regarding five per cent job reservation for sportspersons and the allocation of 25 marks to students of Xth and XIIth who represented in the state and national championships.