India on Asian Track & Field Meet 1989
A commemorative postage stamp on the 8th Asian Athletics Championships, 1989 :
Issued by India
Issued on Nov 19, 1989
Description of Design : The design of the stamp is based on the logo used by the Amateur Athletic Federation of India for the 8th Asian Track & Field Meet, 1989, depicting the butterfly ‘Bharati‘ entrenched in the hand-shaped ‘tracks of Friendship’, using the tri-colours. The First Day Cover has been designed by Brij Raj Goel and the cancellation by Alka Sharma, the latter based on the logo of the Meet.
Type : Stamp, Mint Condition
Colour : Three Colour
Denomination : 100 Paise
Overall size : 4.80 x 3.60 cms.
Printing size : 4.35 x 3.15 cms.
Perforation : 13 x 13
Paper : Imported un W/M Adh. Gr. Coated stamp paper
Number Printed : 15,00,000
Number per issue sheet : 20
Printing Process : Photogravure
Printed : India Security Press
About :
- After the ASIAD in 1982, New Delhi was once again prepared for hosting a sporting event of that magnitude – the 8th Asian Track & Field Meet, 1989. Instituted in 1973, over the last decade these championships have snowballed into one of the biggest gatherings in the continent outside of the Asian Games. The Asian Track & Field Championships are held every two years and seven of these have been conducted across the continent starting from Manila, Philippines in 1973, to the last one in 1987 at Singapore. The meet was not held in 1977.
- In the inaugural championships, only about a dozen countries participated. The number swelled to over 25 in the 5th meet at Kuwait in 1983. The present meet at New Delhi will witness more than 700 athletes from over 35 countries.
- The organisers of the Meet have selected the butterfly, nicknamed ‘Bharati‘, as the official mascot. Set amidst the ‘tracks of friendship‘, it symbolises strength and fortitude and disciplined exhibition and grace.
- The 8th Asian Track & Field Meet ’89, also marked the culmination of the Nehru Centenary celebrations. In October 1989, athletes carrying torches traversed the length and breadth of the country to reach and light the ceremonial flame of the Asian track and Field Meet, 1989, at New Delhi on November 14, the day of Jawaharlal Nehru‘s Birth Centenary, marking a fitting finale to the year long centenary celebrations. Aptly named the ‘Jawahar Jyoti‘, the torch relay embodies the spirit of national integration.
- Text : Courtesy Amateur Athletic Federation of India.
