New Delhi: With the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on the horizon, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is set to roll out a comprehensive monitoring system to boost athlete performance and medal prospects. The initiative comes on the back of encouraging results following the decentralisation of national coaching camps post the 2024 Paris Olympics.
AFI President and World Athletics Vice-President Adille Sumariwalla announced on Friday that the federation is conceptualising a “robust monitoring system” to ensure consistent progress among India’s vast pool of track and field athletes. The move is part of AFI’s long-term strategy to strengthen athlete development, enhance competitiveness in domestic circuits, and raise India’s standing at global events.
Sumariwalla acknowledged that there were initial concerns when top athletes began training at various decentralised centres across India, especially regarding doping risks and performance consistency. However, he said, those fears were unfounded. “There was apprehension about doping and underperformance when camps were decentralised, but the results show that our monitoring system has been effective,” he stated during a stakeholder meeting that included both government and private representatives.
Citing the recent Asian Championships in Gumi, South Korea, Sumariwalla said India’s national team delivered an impressive performance, finishing second with 24 medals—including eight golds—behind powerhouse China. Several national records were also broken during the meet, further validating AFI’s new training and monitoring model.
Sumariwalla stressed the importance of collaborative efforts between all stakeholders—government bodies, private institutions, sports departments, and training centres. He urged them to work in sync with AFI’s annual competition calendar and focus on developing homegrown talent by offering more domestic competitive opportunities.
“We have over 1,000 athletes training across various centres. For the holistic development of Indian athletics, it is critical that every stakeholder aligns with our long-term vision,” he said. He encouraged institutions to prioritise domestic competitions over sending athletes abroad to participate in lesser-known events.
AFI has recently introduced regional-level competitions to supplement national events and ensure athletes have frequent and meaningful platforms to test their progress.
Addressing the issue of doping, Sumariwalla reaffirmed AFI’s zero-tolerance policy and urged vigilance across all levels of training. “We strictly follow a no-needle policy. Accountability must extend to officials and coaches at the district and state level if their athletes are caught using banned substances. Punitive action is necessary to deter offenders and maintain the integrity of the sport,” he asserted.
With early signs of success already visible and a renewed focus on monitoring, discipline, and collaboration, AFI’s upcoming initiatives aim to create a structured and transparent athletic ecosystem. The federation hopes this approach will help Indian athletes not only shine at the 2026 Asian and Commonwealth Games, but also build momentum for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and beyond.
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