The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has announced that the SRY gene test will be mandatory for all athletes participating in its approved competitions across all age categories, effective from 2027. This decision, subject to legal formalities, aligns with new World Athletics regulations for female category eligibility.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has mandated that track and field athletes must obtain prior approval from the federation before entering into sponsorship agreements with any entity. This decision aims to protect the interests of both athletes and sponsors amid increasing instances of athletes and coaches frequently changing sponsors.
The national record in the men's 100m race was broken twice within minutes at the National Senior Athletics Federation Competition. Ancy Sojan won the women's long jump with a meet record, and Seema achieved the Commonwealth Games qualification mark in the women's discus throw.
Neeraj Chopra will compete in the Asian Games in Japan in September-October in his bid to defend the title.
India's Asian Games athletics team has been trimmed to 74 members, with prominent athletes like javelin thrower Annu Rani, long jumper Shahnavaz Khan, and sprinter Nithya Gandhe dropped due to performance or medical reasons. The decision followed a confirmatory event, while some injured national record holders were cleared to participate.
Top Indian athletes like PV Sindhu, Mirabai Chanu, Neeru Dhanda, and Harmanpreet Singh have been nominated by their respective National Sports Federations to the electoral college for the Indian Olympic Association's Athletes Commission polls on November 3. The article details the nomination process, eligibility criteria, and the composition of the new Athletes Commission, noting the absence of some federations and the exclusion of outgoing members like Mary Kom.
The 65th National Open Athletics Championships begins on Thursday in New Delhi, featuring hammer thrower Nirbhay Choudhary aiming to improve his national record and sprinter Manikanta Hoblidhar making a comeback from injury. Other prominent athletes like race walker Servin Sebastian, Olympians Paramjeet Singh Bisht and Suraj Panwar, and long-distance runner Abhishek Pal are also set to compete, alongside several Asian Games medallists.
Indian track and field athletes at the Asian Games are facing a growing injury crisis, with Yashas Palaksha, Jyothi Yarraji, and Praveen Chithravel all pulling out or struggling due to fitness issues.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) will conduct SRY Gene Tests in national-level competitions to ensure fair competition in the women's category. They will also conduct DNA testing of upcoming athletes for research and development purposes.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has announced a 77-member squad, comprising 34 men and 43 women, to represent India at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with steeplechaser Parul Chaudhary leading the women's contingent.
A small contingent of the 74-member Indian athletics team is still awaiting visa clearance for Japan, potentially impacting their acclimatisation camp ahead of the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. AFI officials are working to resolve the issue, which stems from VFS requirements regarding application locations.
Olympic medallists PV Sindhu and Mirabai Chanu are among 12 prominent sportspersons vying for a spot on the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) Athletes Commission. The elections, scheduled for November 3, will select 10 members for the 2026-2030 term. The article also details the electoral process, eligibility criteria, and mentions the upcoming election for eight Sportspersons of Merit (SOMs).
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.
India's Asian Games athletics team has been reduced from 77 to 74 members, with javelin thrower Annu Rani, long jumper Shahnavaz Khan, and sprinter Nithya Gandhe dropped due to performance and medical reasons after a confirmatory trial.
India's Para Asian Games contingent received a formal send-off in New Delhi, with Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launching the new Team India jersey. Prominent para-athletes, including flag bearer Pramod Bhagat, attended the ceremony. Mandaviya encouraged the athletes to win medals, assuring them of government support. Head coach Satyanarayana expressed confidence in medal prospects despite a reduced quota, while athletes like Suvarna Raj and Pramod Bhagat voiced their determination to secure medals.
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.
Athletics bodies of India and Russia are exploring a long-term cooperation in organising training camps, grassroots development works and mutual participation of their players in their respective competitions.
Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and defending shot put champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor have been named India's flag-bearers for the Asian Games opening ceremony. Both athletes have significant achievements, with Bhaker making history at the Paris Olympics and Toor winning gold in previous Asian Games editions. Their selection highlights the importance of shooting and athletics to India's medal tally.
India's women's 4x400m relay team, featuring Kiran Pahal, Prachi Choudhary, MR Poovamma, and Vithya Ramraj, secured a historic gold medal at the Asian Games 2026. The athletes received a grand welcome upon their return to Delhi, expressing immense pride and dedicating their victory to the nation and their supporters. Prachi and Vithya also earned individual bronze medals, and the team now aims for gold at the World Championships.
Almost all of India's Asian Games-bound track and field athletes, including star steeplechaser Avinash Sable and javelin thrower Yashvir Singh, will participate in the Indian Athletics Series Final. This invitational event, featuring a total prize fund of Rs 65 lakh, serves as a crucial tune-up for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, with most of the 77-member squad competing.
Indian high jumper Sarvesh Kushare, fresh off a silver medal win at Aichi-Nagoya, credited support from SAI and the Athletics Federation of India for his success at the 2026 Asian Games.
The Indian athletics team will undergo an acclimatisation camp at the University of Tsukuba near Tokyo before the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. This follows an MoU between SAI and the University. Athletes are also returning from Czech Republic for a training stint and an event in Bhubaneswar, though Neeraj Chopra will not participate. The Athletics Federation of India has already submitted a list of over 72 athletes for the Games to the Indian Olympic Association.
Accessibility organisation Svayam has partnered with the People's Armwrestling Federation India (PAFI) to ensure adequate facilities and transportation for the upcoming 47th World Armwrestling Championship and 28th World Para Armwrestling Championship in New Delhi. The partnership will focus on accessibility audits, staff sensitisation, and accessible transportation for the event, which will host athletes from 56 countries, including 400 para-athletes.
The Sports Ministry conducted a review of India's Asian Games performance, scrutinising the lower-than-expected medal haul in athletics and badminton. Chaired by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the meeting addressed issues like injured athletes and future planning for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with a strong emphasis on federations delivering results and nurturing young talent.
The Federation Cup National Senior Athletics Competition in Ranchi will serve as the selection trial for the Asian U23 Athletics Championships. Athletes aged 20-22 are eligible, and the event also serves as a qualifier for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has suspended the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) from December 1, 2026, due to a prolonged governance crisis. This decision, made on October 13, 2026, means Indian riders, officials, trainers, and horses cannot participate in international competitions. The suspension stems from the Delhi High Court's dissolution of EFI's executive committee in February 2026 and the subsequent delay in holding fresh elections, despite an ad hoc committee being formed. The suspension will be reviewed after new elections are held and evaluated by the FEI.
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.
Soft tennis player Jay Meena, marathon runner Sawan Barwal, and air pistol shooter Kamaljeet share their personal journeys and challenges leading up to their medal wins at the Asian Games. Meena recounts how school rustication led him to soft tennis and his struggle with quarterfinal defeats. Barwal discusses the mental pressure of switching to marathon running, while Kamaljeet reflects on injury setbacks and the pressure of securing India's first shooting gold at the Games.
Animesh Kujur secured a remarkable double, winning both the 100m and 200m titles, while Harita Bhadra clocked the second-fastest time ever by an Indian woman in the 100m at the inaugural Indian Athletics Final Series, showcasing strong form ahead of the Asian Games.
Indian 100m hurdler Jyothi Yarraji, a silver medallist from the last edition, withdrew from her first-round heat race in Nagoya after experiencing pain during warm-up, despite having received last-minute fitness clearance for a minor knee stress.
The Indian athletics team for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan has undergone significant changes. Commonwealth Games medallist Yashvir Singh replaces an injured Neeraj Chopra, while long-distance runner Abhishek Pal has been dropped due to an alleged doping offence. Tejas Shirse is also out due to injury. The final team comprises 77 members, with six new additions. The Athletics Federation of India is aiming for 25-30 medals.
Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and defending shot put champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor have been selected as India's flag-bearers for the Asian Games opening ceremony. This decision highlights the significant contributions of shooting and athletics to India's medal tally, with a 158-strong contingent participating in the event.
The Sports Ministry has rescheduled its review meeting with National Sports Federations to October 15 to discuss India's performance at the recently concluded Asian Games. The focus will be on the underwhelming show of experienced athletes in sports like badminton, shooting, and athletics, following a lower medal count compared to the previous edition.
Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and defending shot put champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor have been named as India's flag-bearers for the Asian Games opening ceremony. Bhaker's Olympic achievements and Toor's past Asian Games gold medals highlight their selection.
The National Junior (U20) Athletics Federation competition is set to begin in Tumkur, Karnataka, with young athletes vying for a spot in the Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong.
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.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has decided to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding the women's long jump event at the Asian Games. They claim Indian long jumper Shaili Singh was denied a medal due to an incorrect, 'shorter' measurement of her fourth attempt, a discrepancy highlighted by her mentor Anju Bobby George.
Haryana's Nishchay set a new national record in the U18 discus throw at the 41st National Junior Athletics Championships in Chennai on Monday, winning gold with a throw of 66.75m and surpassing the previous record set in 2010.
Star long jumper Murali Sreeshankar's ankle injury, sustained during the Asian Games where he won a silver medal, is not as serious as initially feared. His father and coach, S Murali, confirmed that the injury will require rest and rehabilitation, but Sreeshankar is expected to be ready for the next season.
Karnataka sprinter Manikanta Hoblidhar secured the 100m gold medal at the 65th National Open Athletics Championships in New Delhi on Friday, despite suffering from stomach cramps. He clocked 10.25 seconds, narrowly missing his own meet record. In another event, race walker Servin Sebastian was penalised, losing his gold medal in the men's 20km race walk, with Suraj Pawar winning the men's 21km half marathon race walk.
