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AFI — Athletics Federation of India

India’s athletics federation, which states it came into existence in 1946 and calls itself the apex body for running and managing athletics in India; listed by the Athletics Integrity Unit under Asian Athletics.
✓ Last reviewed: October 2026
Founded1946, per the AFI[4]
HeadquartersNaraina Vihar, New Delhi, per the AFI[3]
International federationWorld Athletics, as listed by the Athletics Integrity Unit (2026 list)[1]
Area associationAsian Athletics Association, as listed by the Athletics Integrity Unit (2026 list)[1]
Affiliated units32 state and institutional units, per the AFI’s About page[4]

What is the AFI?

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) describes itself as “the apex body for running and managing athletics in India”.[4] It is the national federation for athletics in India, and it publishes its constitution on its website.[3]

What does the AFI govern or do?

The AFI lists its functions as organising national championships, training the members of the national teams and selecting athletes for international competitions, among them the Olympic Games, the Asian Games, the Commonwealth Games and the World Championships, as well as conducting championships across the age categories.[4] Its development work includes the National Inter-District Juniors Athletics Meet and a Kids Athletics programme, which it states was launched in 2013.[4]

When was the AFI founded and where is it based?

The AFI states that it “came into existence in 1946” and refers to a record of more than 75 years in managing the sport.[4] It numbers its 2026 National Open Athletics Championships as the 65th edition.[3] Its office is at G-3, Community Center, C Block, Naraina Vihar, New Delhi, the address given on its website.[3]

How is the AFI recognised?

World Athletics. The Athletics Integrity Unit lists the Athletics Federation of India (code IND) in its List of Categorised National Federations as of 2026, drawn up under Rule 15 of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, placing it in category A.[1][2]

Asia. The same list assigns the AFI to the Asian Athletics Association (AAA).[1] The AFI itself states that it is affiliated to World Athletics and to the AAA.[4]

What does the AFI organise?

The AFI’s calendar for 2026 includes the 65th National Open Athletics Championships and the 41st National Junior Athletics Championships, together with the National Youth Athletics Championships, the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships, zonal championships for the east, west and south zones and the events of the Indian Athletics Series.[3] It also states that it conducts international championships and meets to promote the sport.[4]

Who are its members?

The AFI’s directory of affiliated units lists state and union-territory athletics associations, from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to West Bengal, and institutional units: the All India Police Sports Control Board, the Coal India, FCI and LIC sports promotion boards, the ONGC Sports Board, the Ordnance Factory Sports Control Board, the Railway Sports Promotion Board and the Services Sports Control Board (as listed in October 2026).[5] Its About page gives a figure of 32 affiliated state and institutional units.[4]

References

  1. Athletics Integrity Unit — Rule 15: List of Categorised National Federations as of 2026 (PDF). Accessed 2026-10-06.
  2. Athletics Integrity Unit — National Federation Anti-Doping Obligations. Accessed 2026-10-06.
  3. AFI — official website (home page). Accessed 2026-10-06.
  4. AFI — About AFI. Accessed 2026-10-06.
  5. AFI — Affiliated units. Accessed 2026-10-06.