Two new competitions in athletics calendar

Among other decisions, the AFI agreed to host the Masters event under its banner, and appointed the president of Jharkhand Athletics Association, Madhukant Pathak, to take care of it.

Union sports minister Vijay Goel inaugurating a new eight-lane synthetic track at the SAI Ashwini’s Sports Foundation (ASF) athletics centre in Gonikoppal in Kodagu district in Bengaluru.

The Executive Council of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) decided to host two new competition, focusing on 400 metres and javelin throw, while approving the calendar for the season, during the two-day meeting that concluded here on Sunday.

The president of AFI, Adille Sumariwalla, stressed the importance of encouraging talent in the two events specifically in the light of consistent performances. He pointed at the example of Youth world champion Neeraj Chopra in javelin and suggested that it was important to focus on the country’s strength and provide a platform for more talent.

Among other decisions, the AFI agreed to host the Masters event under its banner, and appointed the president of Jharkhand Athletics Association, Madhukant Pathak, to take care of it.

National records were not ratified for lack of dope testing records, and will be taken up later.

The State associations were given 90 days to amend their constitution in line with the national federation, aimed towards good governance and transparency.

The Executive Council approved the suggestion to suspend State associations which have not conducted election as per the AFI constitution and appoint adhoc committees.

Looking internally, it was also agreed to reduce the size of the Executive Council from its current strength of 51 members.