Bahadur Singh Sagoo Elected as AFI President

Asian Games gold medalist and Padma Shri awardee Bahadur Singh Sagoo has been elected unanimously as the new president of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). His election took place during the two-day Annual General Meeting in Chandigarh. Sagoo, who won gold in shot put at the 2002 Asian Games, takes over from outgoing president Adille Sumariwalla, who stepped down after serving three consecutive terms. The AFI also announced several key initiatives to boost athletics in India, including a major javelin competition and hosting international events.

Key Highlights of Appointment

Election Details

• Bahadur Singh Sagoo was unanimously elected as the new president of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).
• He replaced Adille Sumariwalla, who stepped down after serving three consecutive terms as AFI president.
• Sagoo became the lone candidate after senior vice president Anju Bobby George opted out of the race.

New Appointments in AFI

• President: Bahadur Singh Sagoo
• Secretary General: Sandeep Mehta (replaced Ravinder Chaudhary)

Major Announcement By Outgoing President by Adille Sumariwalla

New Javelin Invitational Competition

• A new javelin event will be organized to boost interest in the sport.
• The competition will feature the top 10 javelin throwers in the world.
• Neeraj Chopra will play a key role in organizing the event.
• Partners: AFI, JSW, and a foreign firm.
• The event is expected to be held later in 2025.

India’s First Bronze-Level Continental Tour Event

• Scheduled to be held on August 10, 2025, in Bhubaneswar.

Hosting Bids For Major World Events

• India has submitted bids to host,
• 2029 World Junior Championships
• 2029 World Senior Championships
• World Relays
• World Half Marathon

Progress and Challenges Under During Sumariwalla’s Tenure

Progress Made

• Indian athletics saw significant growth over the past 12 years.
• The grassroots program expanded from 100 districts to 619 districts.
• Foreign coaches were hired for seven athletic events to enhance performance at the elite level.

Challenges Identified

• Doping: A persistent issue in Indian athletics that requires continued efforts to combat.
• Overage Athletes: While under control, monitoring will need to be sustained.
• Early Specialization in Training: A deep-rooted problem that requires ongoing attention and reform.