NEW DELHI
In a shocking revelation, Adille Sumariwalla, spokesperson for the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), warned that over 90% of the country’s athletic tracks are substandard. Speaking at a press conference, he highlighted a massive crisis in sports infrastructure, citing poor materials, faulty construction, and incorrect measurements across the nation.
Sumariwalla did not hold back, alleging that many tracks are built using cheap tire rubber instead of high-quality polyurethane. This lack of proper material results in surfaces that are the wrong thickness and potentially dangerous for athletes. He noted that the laying methodology used by many contractors simply does not meet international requirements, which could hinder the development of India’s rising sports stars.
For years, the AFI stayed away from certifying tracks to avoid being linked to suspicious awarding processes. However, following a “shocking” meeting with World Athletics in Tokyo, the federation has been ordered to step in. Global experts shared data that proved the situation in India is worse than previously thought.
To fix this, the AFI is launching a strict new oversight plan. They intend to vet a global list of approved vendors and intensify the testing of all existing and future tracks. The federation has already begun training experts on how to properly measure and test surfaces. By taking a more active role, the AFI hopes to ensure that Indian athletes finally have world-class facilities that match their world-class talent and hard work.