Avinash Sable qualifies for 3000m steeplechase final after dramatic appeal
Doha, Oct 2: India's Avinash Sable qualified for the finals of the men's 3000m steeplechase under dramatic circumstances after he initially failed to make the cut despite bettering his own national record in an eventful race in the World Championships here on Tuesday.
Avinash clocked 8 minute 25.23 seconds, bettering his earlier national record of 8:28.94, to finish seventh in first round heat number 3 and 20th overall out of 44 athletes who completed the race. But he was involved in two incidents during the race that blocked his path and thereby slowing him down for no fault of his.
The Athletics Federation of India later filed an appeal, claiming that Avinash was obstructed by other athletes during the race, with the request that he be advanced to the final round.
The race referee, after examining video footages, agreed that Avinash was significantly obstructed on two occasions. India's protest was accepted and under Rule 163.2 (Obstruction), Avinash was included for the final.
"We filed an appeal and we have got a favourable decision. So, Avinash will be in tne final, he has been included among the finalists," AFI Planning Commission Chairman told PTI.
The world governing body IAAF confirmed Avinash's qualification for the final by including him among the finalists in the official results.
There was no change in sable's position but he has been added as the 16th competitor for the final race to be run on Friday.
The top three in each of the three heats and the next six fastest qualify for the final race.
Both the incidents were triggered by reigning junior world champion Takele Nigate of Ethiopia. In the first, Sable had to jump over another competitor as four-five athletes at the rear fell over each other.
Midway during the race, Nigate bumped into an obstacle just in front of Sable. The Indian had to virtually climb up the obstacle as he was blocked by the Ethiopian, thereby losing crucial time.
Despite slowing down due to the two incidents, the 24-year-old Sable ran more than three seconds better than his earlier national record of 8:28.94 which he had clocked in March this year during the Federation Cup.
Sable had won a silver on the same tracks in April in the Asian Championships with a time of 8:30.19.
Avinash included in finals after India's successful appeal@kaypeem @StanByMe28 @rahuldpawar @BhutaniRahul
— Athletics Federation of India (@afiindia) October 1, 2019
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Karnataka activates emergency centres over Middle East airspace closures
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has fully activated the SEOC and all DEOCs which are functioning 24x7 to monitor the situation and extend necessary assistance following airspace closures in several Middle Eastern countries, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said on Sunday.
The action has been taken on the direction of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in view of the prevailing situation that has disrupted international flight operations.
"In view of the prevailing situation in certain Middle Eastern countries, several nations have declared NOTAM (closure of airspace), resulting in significant disruption to international flight operations," Gowda said in a press note.
He said as per the latest advisory issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, airspace over Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, UAE and Qatar remains closed up to March 2.
Gowda said that due to the disruption in air travel, a large number of passengers from various countries have been stranded in affected Middle Eastern countries, particularly in UAE (Dubai).
The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) and District Emergency Operations Centres (DEOCs) are regularly updating advisories issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Indian Embassies/Consulates in the affected countries, the minister said, adding that the Karnataka Resident Commissioner has also activated the Karnataka Bhavan team in New Delhi for coordination.
Embassy- and Consulate-wise helpline numbers and advisories have been disseminated to all DEOCs and widely circulated through official social media platforms (X and WhatsApp, etc) for public awareness, he said.
The SEOC and the Office of the Karnataka Resident Commissioner, New Delhi, are in close coordination with the Rapid Response Cell of the Ministry of External Affairs, the minister explained.
Requests for assistance received at the SEOC and DEOCs are being compiled and forwarded to the Karnataka Resident Commissioner's Office and the Ministry of External Affairs, he said.
He urged the people from Karnataka in the affected Middle Eastern countries to strictly adhere to the guidelines and advisories issued by the local governments and to contact the respective Indian Embassies/Consulates through helpline numbers and register on the Sarthi Sahayata portal and other official portals of the Embassies/Consulates concerned.
Gowda said he and Siddaramaiah are continuously monitoring the situation and further updates will be issued as necessary.
