AFI's big push: De-centralisation of camps

New-look athletics body's one-of-a-kind policy set to encourage inclusivity & have wider pool of players to pick from

- Indraneel Das

The new-look Athletics Federation of India (AFI) will have a new policy in place—de-centralisation of National Camps. This, according to the body, would encourage inclusivity and they would have a wider pool of players to choose from. This is something new and AFI could be one of the first, if not the first, bodies in India to implement this kind of training.

This was announced on the concluding day of the AFI's annual general meeting in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Former AFI president Adille Sumariwalla, who has assumed the position of spokesperson, was addressing the media with newly-elected president Bahadur Singh Sagoo and secretary Sandeep Mehta by his side.

Though there were other aspects that were touched upon, the decentralisation of the coaching camps dominated the discussion. This also means that the 23 NCOEs that have been established at a cost to the government would also be utilized. However, challenges like monitoring and doping control across the country will remain. However, AFI felt that this would also help spread the sport to various parts of the country and also give an opportunity to the athletes to stay closer home and train. "They don't need to adjust to the climate or food," he said.