No Indian Athlete to compete abroad this year, says AFI chief Sumariwalla


No Indian Athlete to compete abroad this year, says AFI chief Sumariwalla

SUMARIWALLA THNAR

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Athletics Federation of Indian President Adille Sumariwalla ordered any track and field athlete cannot participate in any International tournament this year as the safety of athletes is paramount.

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It is also implied that no Indian will participate in the prestigious Diamond League meets which will start from August 14.

During the online session in the presence of World athletics chief Sebastian Coe, Sumariwalla said that “We are not interested in sending our athletes abroad before 2021 till we have a far better idea. The safety of our athletes is paramount. So, no Diamond League for our athletes. The athletes who are now in national camps will also preferably be there for the next three months,” Sumariwalla said at an online interaction in the presence of World athletics chief Sebastian Coe.

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“The plan is the athletes will compete in five events in Indian circuit starting on September 12 and they will have some sort of off-season after October. Next year, we plan to have training (programmes) in Europe if the situation allows and then they can reach peak form during the Tokyo Olympics,” he added.

Sumariwalla also said that it is difficult to say anything on resuming the events either behind closed doors or not as earlier this month, AFI made an unconfirmed calendar to start the Indian Grand Prix on September 12 and clamping In three national champions in a time of fewer than two months.

He told that the AFI had introduced a detailed training program of each athlete until the Tokyo Olympics next year to Sports Authority of India (SAI) on April 1.

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“The first Indian GP is in September and it may be held closed doors but depends on MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) guidelines. We may be able to say by late August only. We have to go according to the government guidelines.” he said.

“Considering by June 1, some basic facilities will be opened, we have worked out a week-wise programme for every single athlete, especially for those who have qualified for Olympics or those who are likely to qualify. “But there were two variables in that. Firstly, whether the Tokyo Olympics happens or not and the second point is whether lockdown is lifted by June for the athletes to start training. If these goalposts shift, we will shift our programme accordingly.” he added.