Federation to focus on schools athletics

To revamp the existing system and focus on grassroots, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) plans to launch its own school and college track and field competitions from next year. The decision was taken in its AGM in Meerut on Sunday.

These competitions, says AFI general secretary CK Valson, will give budding athletes an opportunity. “The federation also plans to introduce prize money.”

The federation also plans to introduce an India Grand Prix. Valson said hosting global competitions should change the perception of athletics in the country. “We are working on various aspects to attract top class athletes from other countries,” he said.

However, AFI plans to discontinue the national inter-zonal junior championships from next year.

VOTING RIGHTS WILL BE WITHDRAWN FOR 3 YEARS IF STATE UNITS FAIL TO PROMOTE ACTIVITIES

At the meeting, it was also decided to hand over the project of developing juniors to JS Bhatia. The Lucknow-based expert was guiding the country’s middle distance runners, including Asiad gold medallist Sudha Singh, and had recently quit the senior national camp in Bangalore. To improve overall functioning of the state units and make them more active, the AFI has decided to amend its constitution to make it mandatory for all units to organise athletics activities during the calendar year. The voting rights of the state units will be withdrawn for three years if they fail to carry out promotional activities.