AFI spokesperson Adille Sumariwala said that a large proportion of existing tracks may not meet internationally accepted standards.

India Athletics Tracks Under Scanner: AFI Flags Issues, World Athletics Raises Concerns

Concerns over the condition of athletics infrastructure in India have intensified after the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) highlighted widespread quality issues in synthetic running tracks used across the country. The warning has raised questions about training conditions for athletes at multiple levels.

AFI spokesperson Adille Sumariwala said that a large proportion of existing tracks may not meet internationally accepted standards. He noted that in several facilities, construction practices and surface finishing techniques fall short of required specifications.

In some cases, materials such as recycled tyre rubber are being used beneath synthetic coatings, which can lead to faster surface degradation. Officials believe this affects consistency, durability and overall athlete performance during training and competition.

The issue has also drawn attention from World Athletics, which has shared observations and data with Indian authorities and recommended corrective measures to improve compliance with global benchmarks.

Instead of treating certification as a one-time process, the AFI is now moving towards a more active monitoring system. This decision was discussed during its annual general meeting held in Kohima on April 14 and 15.

As part of the reform plan, the federation is working on identifying approved vendors and improving technical training for officials involved in infrastructure assessment. It has also clarified that tracks already certified by World Athletics will not require fresh approval.