Poonia, Om Prakash to train in US for CWG tune-up

New Delhi: Star Indian throwers Krishna Poonia and Om Prakash will be leaving for the US this Saturday for a training-cum-competition programme in preparation for the 2014 Commonwealth Games to be held in Glasgow.

Krishna, the first Indian woman athlete to win a gold medal in CWG - Delhi 2010, will be training at Olympic Training Centre in Chula Vista, California. The 31-year-old Arjuna Awardee will also be participating in competitions in the countdown to the Glasgow Games. Meanwhile, 2006 CWG silver medallist in women`s discus throw, Seema Punia (previously Seema Antil) will also accompany the three-member team to train at the Olympic Throwing Centre, New Port Beach, California. National record holder in men`s shot put and Asian Indoor Champion Om Prakash will be training at Aphelion Athletics Club, Pennsylvania (USA). The throwers will be based at their respective training centres in addition to travelling for various competitions up to the Commonwealth Games. Commenting on the development, Athletics Federation of India president and former Olympian Adille J Sumariwalla said, "The throw event has always beena priority for AFI and our athletes have brought rich laurels for the country in the past. The ultimate aim is to perform at the 2016 Olympics and for that our athletes need continous training in elite centres and competition exposure at the highest level."