Concerns Raised Over Quality of Athletic Tracks in India by AFI
Majority of Athletic Tracks in India Found Substandard
Adille Sumariwalla, a representative of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), has expressed significant worries regarding the quality of synthetic athletic tracks throughout the nation. He claims that over 90% of these tracks are inadequate in terms of materials, construction, and specifications. During a press conference held by the AFI on Saturday, Sumariwalla highlighted numerous irregularities in the construction and upkeep of these tracks across India. He stated, "More than 90% of tracks in India are below standard. The materials, processes, and granules used are all subpar. The methods of laying the tracks are also lacking, resulting in insufficient thickness."
He further emphasized that in many instances, appropriate materials such as polyurethane are not utilized, with substitutes like tyre rubber being employed instead. "In some locations, only tyre rubber is being used instead of the required polyurethane. There are various issues affecting over 90% of the tracks, including incorrect measurements," he added.
AFI to Take Action Following World Athletics Directive
Sumariwalla also mentioned that the AFI had previously refrained from track certification and related activities due to concerns about irregularities in awarding contracts. "The AFI has not been involved in this for a long time. We chose to stay away because many of these tracks were awarded under questionable circumstances, which we did not want to engage with," he explained.
However, he noted that the federation will now be required to participate in the certification process due to directives from World Athletics. He indicated that following international discussions, the AFI must adopt a more proactive approach to ensure the quality of athletic tracks in the future. "We have never certified any track before, but now we must get involved because World Athletics has instructed us to do so. We had a meeting in Tokyo where they presented some alarming data," Sumariwalla stated.
Plans for Enhanced Testing and Vendor Evaluation
The AFI is now planning to evaluate a list of global vendors and intends to increase the testing of athletic tracks. This initiative follows a course conducted with experts on the proper methods for laying, testing, and measuring tracks.