AFI to Oversee Certification of Synthetic Athletic Tracks

AFI's Commitment to Quality Tracks

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is set to ensure that high-quality synthetic tracks are constructed across the nation, as stated by Adille Sumariwalla. The former AFI president and current vice president of World Athletics announced that the AFI will be responsible for certifying all newly installed tracks in the future, as per a recent announcement.

"The certification process for all new synthetic tracks will be managed by the AFI moving forward. This was a significant topic during the recent AFI Annual General Meeting held in Kohima, Nagaland," Sumariwalla mentioned during a virtual press conference on Saturday.

Last year, at the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships in Japan, Sumariwalla raised concerns regarding the poor quality of tracks being laid in India. "This prompted the AFI to intervene to ensure that only quality materials are utilized in future installations. It is also essential that reputable vendors are contracted for the construction of new synthetic tracks," he added.

Sumariwalla highlighted that many synthetic tracks throughout the country are subpar. "Due to inadequate monitoring, it is suspected that inferior materials are being used, which significantly reduces the lifespan of the tracks," he explained.

Implementation of SRY Gene Testing for Female Athletes

During the AGM in Nagaland, the agenda also included a one-time SRY gene test for athletes competing in the female category across all events sanctioned by World Athletics.

The AFI, in collaboration with World Athletics, is initiating this one-time SRY gene test for female competitors. "Given the high cost of the SRY Gene Test, the AFI will provide financial assistance to the athletes," Sumariwalla stated. "We will also closely supervise the testing process to prevent any impersonation issues."

This new regulation regarding the SRY gene test was implemented at the 2025 Tokyo World Athletics Championships. "The testing procedure has already commenced in India," Sumariwalla confirmed.

Additional Topics Discussed at AFI AGM

The preparation of the Indian athletics team for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Asian Games in Japan was another key topic at the AGM in Kohima.

"Protecting the interests of individual athletes and sponsors was also a major point of discussion during the AGM in Nagaland," Sumariwalla concluded.