The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has introduced a new rule that will affect athletes training under unregistered coaches. Starting from July 31, athletes who train with coaches not registered with the AFI will not be eligible for prestigious national awards, including the Arjuna and Khel Ratna awards. This decision aims to combat the growing issue of doping in Indian athletics, which has been a persistent problem for years.
Doping in athletics is a serious concern. Many coaches have been suspected of involvement in doping scandals. To tackle this issue, the AFI is taking strong measures. They plan to register all coaches, whether qualified or unqualified, by the end of July. Failure to register will result in the coach being blacklisted, meaning they will not be allowed to train athletes or participate in any AFI activities.
AFI spokesperson Adille Sumariwalla explained the importance of this initiative. He stated, “If an athlete trains with an unregistered coach, the AFI will not recommend the athlete for any national award if they win medals.” This means athletes must ensure their coaches are registered to be considered for awards.
Sumariwalla, who has held leadership roles in the AFI and World Athletics, expressed his concern about the involvement of coaches and even parents in doping. He believes that without strict consequences, the issue will persist. He advocates for legal reforms to criminalise doping, noting that current laws do not impose jail time for offenders.
The AFI plans to create an anti-doping cell that will focus on identifying coaches suspected of doping their athletes. This cell will also compile a list of training centres known for facilitating doping. The information gathered will be shared with the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), which is part of World Athletics.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to clean up the sport. In January, during their Annual General Meeting in Chandigarh, the AFI made it clear that all coaches must register to ensure a fair and clean environment for athletes.
Upon successful registration, each coach will receive a unique registration number and an ID card, which will help in maintaining accountability. Sumariwalla emphasised that only registered coaches will be recognised, and unregistered ones will be blacklisted.
In addition to the registration policy, the AFI has welcomed the new Khelo Bharat Niti (National Sports Policy), approved by the Cabinet. This policy aims to promote good governance, improve infrastructure, and enhance the sports culture in India. Sumariwalla highlighted the need for effective implementation of this policy, stating, “In India, policy is not the problem; the implementation of the policy is the problem.”
The AFI’s new measures reflect a commitment to ensure that athletes train in a safe and fair environment. By taking a stand against doping and requiring coach registration, the AFI hopes to foster a culture of integrity in Indian sports. As the deadline approaches, the AFI is optimistic that coaches will comply and that athletes will benefit from this new framework. The fight against doping is ongoing, and the AFI is determined to take the necessary steps to protect the future of athletics in India.