News for 'AFI'

AFI Denies Formal Athletics Tie-Up With Russia

AFI Denies Formal Athletics Tie-Up With Russia

Rediff.com7 May 2026

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has denied signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Russian athletics federation, amidst ongoing sanctions and the conflict in Ukraine.

AFI To Bar Athletes For Unexplained Absences At Federation Cup

AFI To Bar Athletes For Unexplained Absences At Federation Cup

Rediff.com1 May 2026

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has announced that athletes who fail to participate in the National Senior Athletics Federation Cup without a valid reason may be barred from future events.

Most Indian Athletics Tracks Fail Quality Standards: AFI

Most Indian Athletics Tracks Fail Quality Standards: AFI

Rediff.com18 Apr 2026

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has revealed that a significant majority of synthetic tracks in the country are substandard, raising concerns about athlete performance and track longevity. The AFI is now working with World Athletics to improve track certification and vendor quality.

AFI To Conduct SRY Gene, DNA Tests On Athletes

AFI To Conduct SRY Gene, DNA Tests On Athletes

Rediff.com18 Apr 2026

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) will conduct SRY Gene tests at the Federation Cup in Ranchi to ensure only biological females compete in the women's category. The AFI will also start DNA testing of Indian athletes to collect data for research, injury prevention, and training methods.

AFI Sets Qualification Standards For Asian U20 Championships

AFI Sets Qualification Standards For Asian U20 Championships

Rediff.com19 Apr 2026

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has announced the qualification standards for athletes aiming to compete in the Asian U20 Championships in Hong Kong next month. Athletes must meet these standards at the upcoming age group competition in Tumkur, Karnataka.

AFI Announces Selection Criteria For 2026 World U20 Championships

AFI Announces Selection Criteria For 2026 World U20 Championships

Rediff.com24 Apr 2026

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has announced the selection criteria for the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships, which will be held in Eugene, USA. Athletes will be selected based on their performance in three domestic competitions, including the Indian Athletics Series and the National Junior Federation Competition.

National Record Holder Jyothi Yarraji Breaches Asian Games Qualifying Mark

National Record Holder Jyothi Yarraji Breaches Asian Games Qualifying Mark

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

National record holder Jyothi Yarraji made a remarkable return to competition after a year-long injury lay-off, breaching the Asian Games qualifying standard in the 100m hurdles at the National Inter-State Championships. She achieved the feat with a time of 13.14 seconds, well within the AFI's requirement.

Neeraj Chopra to compete in Asian Games in Japan, confirms Athletics Federation of India

Neeraj Chopra to compete in Asian Games in Japan, confirms Athletics Federation of India

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

Neeraj Chopra will compete in the Asian Games in Japan in September-October in his bid to defend the title.

Neeraj Chopra's CWG Berth Hinges on Fitness and Qualification Standard

Neeraj Chopra's CWG Berth Hinges on Fitness and Qualification Standard

Rediff.com14 Jun 2026

Neeraj Chopra has been included in India's 32-member Commonwealth Games athletics squad, subject to achieving the AFI qualification mark after recovering from a back injury. The Olympic champion is expected to return to competition within days.

National record holder Gulveer fails to breach Asian Games qualifying time in 5000m

National record holder Gulveer fails to breach Asian Games qualifying time in 5000m

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

Gulveer Singh, the reigning Asian champion and national record holder, failed to meet the Asian Games qualifying standard in the men's 5000m race at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships.

P T Usha Receives Lifetime Achievement Award At Indian Athletics Ceremony

P T Usha Receives Lifetime Achievement Award At Indian Athletics Ceremony

Rediff.com20 Jun 2026

Legendary Indian sprinter and Indian Olympic Association president P T Usha was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural Indian Athletics Awards. Other recipients included Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, Bahadur Singh Chauhan, and Anju Bobby George, recognising their significant contributions to Indian athletics.

Neeraj Chopra Will Deliver At Asian Games And LA 2028 Olympics, says Anju Bobby George

Neeraj Chopra Will Deliver At Asian Games And LA 2028 Olympics, says Anju Bobby George

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

Legendary athlete Anju Bobby George believes it's just a matter of time before Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra delivers for the country at the big stage -- the Asian Games and 2028 Los Angles Olympic Games.

Sarvesh Kushare Sets New High Jump National Record, Eyes Asian Games Gold

Sarvesh Kushare Sets New High Jump National Record, Eyes Asian Games Gold

Rediff.com28 Jun 2026

Star Indian high jumper Sarvesh Kushare has set a new national record by clearing 2.31m at the National Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar, becoming the first Indian to breach the 2.30m mark.

Race Walk Coach Calls For Fair Asian Games Selection Considering Tough Weather

Race Walk Coach Calls For Fair Asian Games Selection Considering Tough Weather

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

India's race walk coach Ronald Weigel has urged national selectors to consider the extremely humid conditions during the National Inter-State Championships when picking the team for the upcoming Asian Games. He highlighted how tough weather significantly slows down endurance athletes and suggested holding future selection events in more favourable conditions like Bengaluru.

Sarvesh Kushare gears up to make historic Diamond League debut

Sarvesh Kushare gears up to make historic Diamond League debut

Rediff.com9 Jul 2026

Indian high jumper Sarvesh Kushare, fresh from setting a new national record of 2.31m, is set to make his debut at the prestigious Diamond League in Monaco. He will compete against top international athletes, including Olympic gold medallist Mutaz Essa Barshim, and is currently ranked joint second globally based on his season's best.

Indian athletes secure three bronze medals at Asian U-23 Championships

Indian athletes secure three bronze medals at Asian U-23 Championships

Rediff.com10 Jul 2026

India's young athletes demonstrated strong performances on the second day of the inaugural Asian U23 Athletics Championships in Ordos, China, securing three bronze medals. Shakeel and Bhumeshwory Devi Huidrom earned bronze in the men's and women's 800m respectively, while Abhay Singh added another bronze in the men's 200m race.

Athletics Series In Ludhiana Offers CWG Qualification Chance

Athletics Series In Ludhiana Offers CWG Qualification Chance

Rediff.com30 May 2026

The Ludhiana leg of the Indian Athletics Series on June 13 will serve as a Glasgow Commonwealth Games qualification platform for those who could not make the cut in the Federation Cup due to unfavourable weather.

Parul Chaudhary Sets New National Record In 5000m

Parul Chaudhary Sets New National Record In 5000m

Rediff.com14 Jun 2026

India's Parul Chaudhary has set a new national record in the women's 5000m event, clocking 15:04.26 to finish second at the Meeting Nikaia 2026. This performance also secured her qualification for the Asian Games 2026.

India Leads Global Athletics Doping Violations List

India Leads Global Athletics Doping Violations List

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

India has once again topped the Athletics Integrity Unit's global list of dope offenders with 162 names, highlighting a significant doping problem in the country's sporting landscape. This led to the Athletics Federation of India being re-categorised to 'Category A' due to high doping risk, requiring more stringent testing.

India's Doping Crisis: Why The Nation Tops Global Offenders List

India's Doping Crisis: Why The Nation Tops Global Offenders List

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

India continues to lead the Athletics Integrity Unit's (AIU) global list of dope offenders with 162 names, highlighting a significant problem in the country's sports. The nation has been re-categorised to 'Category A' by the AIU, indicating an "extremely high" doping risk and requiring more stringent anti-doping measures.

TN hurdler Harshitha takes solo re-run after official goof-up at Nationals

TN hurdler Harshitha takes solo re-run after official goof-up at Nationals

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

In a bizarre incident, Tamil Nadu's R Harshitha was made to re-run the women's 400m hurdles alone on Saturday due to a goof-up by race officials, and she eventually failed to qualify for the finals at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar.

High jumper Sarvesh Kushare secures third place in Monaco Diamond League

High jumper Sarvesh Kushare secures third place in Monaco Diamond League

Rediff.com11 Jul 2026

Indian high jumper Sarvesh Kushare achieved a historic third-place finish in his Diamond League debut in Monaco, clearing 2.26m. This remarkable performance places him among an exclusive group of four Indians to have secured a top-three spot in the prestigious athletics event, alongside Neeraj Chopra, Murali Sreeshankar, and Vikas Gowda. He also outperformed several world champions in the process.

Dev Meena's Coach-Inspired Record-Breaking Spree Continues

Dev Meena's Coach-Inspired Record-Breaking Spree Continues

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

Madhya Pradesh pole vaulter Dev Meena has broken the national record for the fifth time in two years, clearing 5.46m at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships. He credited his coach, Ghanshyam Yadav, for consistently pushing him to aim for national records. Meena also successfully breached the Asian Games qualifying mark and has been named in the Indian squad for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

National Inter-State Championships Witness Two New Records

National Inter-State Championships Witness Two New Records

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

The National Inter-State Championships saw two new national records being set. Anushka Yadav broke the hammer throw record with a 67.02m effort, while Dev Meena set a new pole vault record by clearing 5.47m.

Indian Athletics Series Final Leg To Feature Asian Games Contingent

Indian Athletics Series Final Leg To Feature Asian Games Contingent

Rediff.com4 Jul 2026

All Indian track and field athletes selected for the Asian Games will compete in the final leg of the Indian Athletics Series on September 10. The schedule for other legs of the series has also been revised, while a group of athletes has departed for Europe to prepare for the Commonwealth Games.

Chopra Receives Top Male Athlete Award At Inaugural Indian Athletics Ceremony

Chopra Receives Top Male Athlete Award At Inaugural Indian Athletics Ceremony

Rediff.com20 Jun 2026

Ace Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was awarded 'Best Male Athlete of the Year 2025' at the inaugural Indian Athletics Awards. Chopra expressed his emotional connection to the award, given in the presence of multiple generations of athletes. The ceremony also honoured Parul Chaudhary as Best Female Athlete and P T Usha with a Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising significant contributions to Indian athletics.

KM Deeksha Fails Dope Test; India Leads AIU Ineligible Athletes List

KM Deeksha Fails Dope Test; India Leads AIU Ineligible Athletes List

Rediff.com2 Jun 2026

National Games silver medallist K M Deeksha has failed a dope test, according to sources. India maintains top spot in AIU list of currently ineligible athletes.

Ancy Sojan erases Anju Bobby George's 22-year-old long-jump record

Ancy Sojan erases Anju Bobby George's 22-year-old long-jump record

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

Kerala's Ancy Sojan created history on Saturday by breaking the long-standing national record in women's long jump at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar.

Murali Sreeshankar, Rohit Yadav Lead Record-Breaking National Athletics Meet

Murali Sreeshankar, Rohit Yadav Lead Record-Breaking National Athletics Meet

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

The National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships concluded with star long jumper Murali Sreeshankar and javelin thrower Rohit Yadav delivering top-class performances.

Indian Athletes Compete For 2026 Commonwealth Games Spot

Indian Athletes Compete For 2026 Commonwealth Games Spot

Rediff.com21 May 2026

India's top track and field athletes will compete in Ranchi for a chance to represent the country at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The event marks the first time the Athletics Federation of India will conduct SRY Gene Tests at the national level to ensure fair competition in the women's category. The meet will also serve as trials for the inaugural Asian U23 Championships.

Rohit Yadav Surpasses Neeraj Chopra in Global List with 87.05m Throw

Rohit Yadav Surpasses Neeraj Chopra in Global List with 87.05m Throw

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

Rohit Yadav lit up Bhubaneswar's Kalinga Stadium with a career-best throw of 87.05m in the men's javelin throw on the concluding day of the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships.

India women win 4x100m relay gold at Asian Relays Championships

India women win 4x100m relay gold at Asian Relays Championships

Rediff.com21 Jun 2026

India's athletics contingent secured a gold medal in the women's 4x100m relay at the Asian Relays Championships in Shaoxing, China, clocking a season-best time.

Unheralded G Sindhushree Sets New Pole Vault National Record, Qualifies For Asian Games

Unheralded G Sindhushree Sets New Pole Vault National Record, Qualifies For Asian Games

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

Karnataka's G Sindhushree, an unheralded pole vaulter, achieved a new national record of 4.25m at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar. This performance not only secured her a gold medal but also a spot in the Asian Games. Overcoming personal hardships, Sindhushree dedicated her achievement to her late father. The event also saw other athletes like Animesh Kujur, Harshita Bhadra, Manpreet Kaur, Gowthami Jayaraman, Mohammed Afsal, and N Thowfeeq qualify for the Asian Games in various disciplines.

Tejas Shirse breaks Nat. hurdles mark, qualifies for C'wealth Games

Tejas Shirse breaks Nat. hurdles mark, qualifies for C'wealth Games

Rediff.com13 Jun 2026

Tejas Shirse has broken his own national record in the men's 110m hurdles, clocking 13.27 seconds at the Indian Athletics Series 9. This performance also secured his qualification for the Commonwealth Games and ranks as the sixth best in Asia this season.

Javelin Star Neeraj Chopra Set For Doha Diamond League Return

Javelin Star Neeraj Chopra Set For Doha Diamond League Return

Rediff.com15 Jun 2026

Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is set to make his competitive return at the Doha Diamond League on June 19 after recovering from a back injury. He had previously achieved a 90m throw at the same venue last year and has been named in India's Commonwealth Games squad.

Gurindervir, Animesh Break 100m Record At Athletics Meet

Gurindervir, Animesh Break 100m Record At Athletics Meet

Rediff.com22 May 2026

The National Senior Athletics Federation Competition witnessed a national record being broken twice in the men's 100m race, along with other impressive performances in long jump and 10,000m races.

'I have no sponsors, no job': Sindhushree used borrowed pole to break national record

'I have no sponsors, no job': Sindhushree used borrowed pole to break national record

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

G Sindhushree lacked the funds to buy proper equipment after her father's death in 2022, forcing her to compete with shorter poles until she borrowed a longer one just two weeks before the National Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar.

Assam To Host Indian Athletics Series In Nalbari

Assam To Host Indian Athletics Series In Nalbari

Rediff.com14 May 2026

The newly-built stadium at Sariahtali in Nalbari district of Assam will host the seventh leg of Indian Athletics Series on June 6.

Chandigarh, Bhubaneswar To Host Asian Athletics Events

Chandigarh, Bhubaneswar To Host Asian Athletics Events

Rediff.com27 May 2026

Chandigarh and Bhubaneswar have been awarded the rights to host the Asian Relays in 2027 and the Asian Indoor Championships in 2028, respectively, marking a significant moment for Indian athletics.

ICC unveils major rule to help mothers return to cricket

ICC unveils major rule to help mothers return to cricket

Rediff.com22 Jun 2026

The 'Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines' for female cricketers, outline a six 'R's framework: Ready, Review, Restore, Recondition, Return and Refine.