India's Synthetic Track Crisis: A Call to Reform

In a startling disclosure, Adille Sumariwalla, spokesperson for the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), stated that nearly 90% of synthetic athletics tracks in the country fail in terms of material, laying, and marking standards. This revelation emerged from a virtual press conference where Sumariwalla highlighted that World Athletics has instructed the AFI to intervene and rectify the issue to avoid jeopardizing the athletes' performances.

Sumariwalla assured that athletes' results won't be annulled due to the current track conditions. However, he warned about the rapid deterioration of these tracks. To address this, the AFI plans to collaborate with World Athletics in certifying track quality and enforcing vendor credibility.

In another development, the AFI's recent directive requiring athletes to seek approval for sponsorship deals has been suspended. The decision, made during the Kohima annual general meeting, allows for more consultation. It aims to safeguard athletes from precarious contracts and ensure fair dealings with sponsors.