22nd Asian Athletics Championships: Dutee Chand confident of winning medal

Bhubaneswar: Ace Indian sprinter Dutee Chand is confident of exploiting home advantage to win a medal at the 22nd Asian Athletics Championships that get under way here at the Kalinga Stadium on Wednesday.

“I’m very familiar with the venue. I have participated in a number of international events here since July 2006. I hope for good home crowd support, as I am a local athlete,” the 21-year-old Olympian said.

Dutee will run in three events — the 100 metres, 200 metres and 4x100 relay. She has raised medal hopes following her stunning performance last month in Kazakhstan, where she took silver in the 100me and 4x100 relay, and bronze in the 200m.

“I am confident of winning medals this time as well. In other countries, we face difficulties in getting acclimatised to the conditions. But this is my home state and I am accustomed to it.”

Pakistan team arrive for meet
Meanwhile, ending speculation, a six-member Pakistan team reached Odisha on Monday to participate in the event.

President of the Pakistan Athletics Federation, Akram Sahi expressed happiness after reaching the Biju Patnaik International Airport here and lauded the efforts of the Athletics Federation of India.