The Executive Council of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), which met here on Saturday, has unanimously agreed that athletes attending the national camps or approved national training programmes would alone be allowed to represent the country.
In a statement released here, it was reasoned that the decision was a fall-out of the below par performances of many athletes, in the Rio Olympics.
“Those athletes were not in approved training programmes but were selected on the basis of one-time sterling performances during trials and never repeated their best performance later at any stage”.
It was decided that “athletes who are monitored within the system should only be eligible for selection to represent the country”.
The Executive Council agreed to take up the subject of hosting of the Asian Championship in Ranchi from July 1 to 4, with the Chief Minister of Jharkhand and the Union Sports Minister, to ensure a healthy conduct of the prestigious championship expected to feature athletes from about 45 countries.
The Executive Council also emphasised the need to ensure total participation of all districts in the National inter-district junior athletics meet (NIDJAM), and suggested action against failing units.
Last year, 316 districts had participated in the NIDJAM held in Vishakapatnam for the under-14 and under-16 age groups.
Constitutional amendments of various state associations was suggested to ensure good governance and transparency. The affiliated members are “directed to mandatorily set up women anti harassment committees and form Grievances redressal cells”.
The AFI hinted at more decisions on the second day of the meeting on Sunday.
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