AFI revises Indian Athletics Series schedule for Commonwealth, Asian Games prep
Synopsis
The AFI has restructured its entire domestic Indian Athletics Series calendar — shifting three legs and pulling the invitational finale forward by two days to 10 September — specifically to keep athletes who missed Commonwealth and Asian Games qualification match-ready. With the first India contingent already flying to Europe, the federation is running a tight, dual-track operation for its two biggest international assignments of the year.
Key Takeaways
AFI has revised the Indian Athletics Series calendar to benefit athletes who narrowly missed qualification for major international events.
The 13th leg shifts from 14 August to 18 August ; the 14th leg moves from 16 August to 25 August ; the 15th leg moves from 29 August to 2 September .
The season finale is now scheduled for 10 September , two days earlier than planned, and will be an invitational event based on athlete rankings.
All Asian Games-bound athletes will compete in the final leg before departing for Aichi-Nagoya .
The first batch of Indian athletes left for Europe on 4 July to prepare for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games , which begin on 23 July .
Venues for all rescheduled legs remain unchanged , per AFI president Bahadur Singh Sagoo .
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has overhauled the domestic Indian Athletics Series calendar, shifting multiple legs and moving the season finale forward to give promising athletes more competitive exposure ahead of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The revised schedule was announced on Saturday, 4 July from New Delhi.
Why the Calendar Was Rescheduled
AFI president Bahadur Singh Sagoo said the changes were driven by the needs of athletes who narrowly fell short of qualifying for the two flagship international events. “The Indian Athletics Series has been rescheduled keeping in mind the promising athletes who weren’t able to qualify for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and Asian Games,” Sagoo said. The federation is keen to ensure these competitors remain match-sharp through the international season rather than sitting idle on the sidelines.
Key Changes to the Revised Schedule
Under the updated calendar, the 13th leg of the series has been moved from 14 August to 18 August. The 14th leg has been pushed back by nine days, from 16 August to 25 August. The 15th leg, originally set for 29 August, will now be held on 2 September. Sagoo confirmed that despite the date changes, all venues will remain unchanged.
Season Finale Moved Earlier, Open by Invitation
The season-ending event has been brought forward by two days to 10 September, from the originally planned 12 September. “All athletes bound for the Japan Asian Games will compete in the final leg of the series,” Sagoo said. The finale will function as an invitational competition, with athletes selected based on their rankings in their respective events. This format is designed to maintain competitive quality at the season’s close while giving Asian Games-bound athletes one last domestic outing before departure.
Context: National Championships and Europe Departure
The rescheduling follows the successful conclusion of the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships, held in Bhubaneswar from 24 to 28 June. With the Glasgow Commonwealth Games set to begin on 23 July, preparations are already in motion. The first batch of Indian athletes departed for Europe on Saturday to fine-tune their readiness, with the second batch expected to leave early next week, according to Sagoo.
What This Means for Indian Athletics
Sagoo noted that the Indian Athletics Series has historically drawn strong participation, describing it as “a good opportunity for athletes to compete in their own backyard.” By compressing and restructuring the calendar around two of the year’s biggest multi-sport events, the AFI is signalling a more strategic approach to domestic competition planning. The revised series gives fringe athletes a credible route to stay competitive and, potentially, make a late case for selection consideration in future cycles.
Point of View
But it also exposes a structural gap: that qualification windows for major Games leave a significant pool of near-miss athletes with no competitive outlet at the precise moment they need it most. Building the series around Games cycles rather than standalone merit is sensible, but the invitational-only finale risks turning a developmental platform into a selection lobby. The real test is whether the additional legs produce measurable performance gains — or simply add mileage without meaningful competitive pressure for athletes already on the margins.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the AFI rescheduled the Indian Athletics Series?
The AFI revised the Indian Athletics Series calendar to give promising athletes who narrowly missed qualification for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games more competitive opportunities before the international season peaks. The changes were announced by AFI president Bahadur Singh Sagoo on 4 July.
What are the new dates for the rescheduled legs of the Indian Athletics Series?
The 13th leg moves to 18 August (from 14 August), the 14th leg to 25 August (from 16 August), and the 15th leg to 2 September (from 29 August). The season finale has been brought forward to 10 September from 12 September.
Will the venues change along with the dates?
No. AFI president Bahadur Singh Sagoo confirmed that all venues for the rescheduled legs will remain the same, with only the dates being altered.
Who can participate in the Indian Athletics Series finale?
The finale on 10 September is an invitational event. Athletes will be selected based on their rankings in their respective disciplines. All athletes bound for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games are also expected to compete in this final leg.
When do the Glasgow Commonwealth Games begin and how is India preparing?
The Glasgow Commonwealth Games begin on 23 July. The first batch of Indian athletes departed for Europe on 4 July to finalise their preparation, with a second batch scheduled to leave early the following week, according to Sagoo.
