New Delhi: Indian athletics is embarking on a new phase. Starting this season, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) will eliminate long-term national coaching camps, with the exception of those for relay teams, and will permit athletes to train at facilities of their choosing, including private academies, armed forces training centres, or designated SAI centres (National Centre of Excellence).

The aim is to broaden the pool of elite athletes while allowing them the convenience of training closer to their homes. The AFI will continue to oversee their development through a dedicated monitoring team. This policy of 'decentralisation of national camps' was approved during the AFI Annual General Meeting held in Chandigarh on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“We have granted athletes the freedom to train at their preferred locations—such as the Army Sports Institute, Reliance Foundation, JSW, and various state government centres in Tamil Nadu and Odisha. Odisha has engaged foreign coaches, and JSW also employs international coaching staff. We are not mandating attendance at national camps, which is a crucial aspect of this decentralisation,” stated outgoing AFI president Adille Sumariwalla, who also serves as the federation’s spokesperson.

The AFI will provide access to foreign coaches at select centres, and athletes who wish to train there will need to choose these locations. Notably, US middle and long-distance coach Scott Simmons will be joining SAI’s NCOE in Bengaluru, while javelin coach Sergey Makarov, an Olympic and world medallist, will be stationed at SAI Patiala. Additionally, Jamaican sprint coaches Jason Dawson for men and Jerry Holmes for women have been appointed at the SAI centre in Thiruvananthapuram.

The names of the athletes will be submitted to the National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) based on their preferences. The policy regarding domestic competitions has been established, detailing the requirement for athletes to attend training camps at selected centres during the final eight weeks leading up to significant international events, as stated by the official.

Only the 400m runners, including men, women, and mixed relay teams, will participate in joint training sessions at the national camp located at the SAI NCOE centre in Thiruvananthapuram. Following the underperformance of Indian relay teams at the Olympics, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has declared that athletes who do not train collectively will not be considered for selection.

“We will bring in new talent from junior and senior levels, as well as from the national Grand Prix circuit, and invite them to the NCOE for training with international coaches. Selection for international competitions will be limited to those who participate,” he added.

Reports indicate that prominent 400m athletes, such as Muhammed Anas, have chosen not to attend the camp. “Some athletes expressed reluctance to train due to the perceived intensity of the workouts. However, without rigorous training, achieving success at the Olympic level is unattainable.”

Challenges on the ground

The Athletics Federation of India is collaborating with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to implement decentralized training plans, which include the announcement of athlete lists for major SAI centres. It has been reported that steeplechaser Avinash Sable has joined the training centre in Bengaluru. Numerous athletes have opted to work with personal coaches, while an Asian Games sprint medallist and a long jumper have enrolled in separate private academies alongside their trainers.

“There is a lack of clarity among athletes regarding the operational aspects of the system. Elite athletes have the freedom to choose their training locations. Those with sponsorships can attend private academies, but what options are available for mid-level athletes who rely solely on national camps for quality training?” inquired a former national coach.

Certain athletes and coaches expressed uncertainty regarding the quality of the facilities. A middle-distance runner remarked, “In national camps, priority was given to Indian athletes, with a strong emphasis on preparation, including nutrition, diet, and the availability of dedicated physiotherapists, masseurs, and coaches.”

It has been reported that the Sports Authority of India (SAI) intends to enhance the facilities utilized by elite track and field athletes. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) will also provide the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) with a list of athletes training at various locations for the purpose of out-of-competition testing.

“Implementing new initiatives can be challenging, but we must prioritize what benefits the sport in the long term. Consider the increasing number of private academies and states that are now hiring foreign coaches. The more we diversify, the broader our base will become. Athletes will have the opportunity to remain closer to their homes, addressing one of the major concerns raised about extended training camps. Instead of accommodating 150 athletes at national camps, we can train 1,000 individuals at the National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs). This will not only broaden our base but also enhance the quality of the SAI NCOEs,” Sumariwalla further stated.

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