New Delhi, Feb 2 (NationPress) The upcoming National Senior Athletics Federation Competition, set to occur from May 22 to 25 in Ranchi, Jharkhand, will serve as the final selection trials for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, commencing on July 23 in Scotland.

On Monday, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) announced the qualification standards for track and field events for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, indicating that the number of athletes representing India in Glasgow will be limited.

Anju Bobby George, senior vice-president of AFI, stated, "According to the guidelines from the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, the athletics team will be capped at 32 members, which includes 16 female athletes."

“Due to a restricted number of track and field events available at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the AFI will select athletes who meet the qualifying marks in their respective events during May,” she added.

At the previous 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, the Indian contingent secured eight medals, highlighted by a gold medal in men’s triple jump won by Eldhose Paul, alongside a silver medal from Avinash Sable in the steeplechase.

The qualifying standard for the men’s 110m hurdles is set at 13.39 seconds, while it is 12.67 seconds for the women's 100m hurdles. The qualifying times for the 100m events are 10.16 seconds for men and 11.17 seconds for women. Additionally, the qualifying standard for the 4x400m mixed relay is 3:16.00 seconds.

The National Senior Athletics Federation Competition in Ranchi will also function as a qualification opportunity for the 2026 Asian U23 Athletics Championships.

Among a busy schedule, the Asian Games in September stand out as a key event for 2026.

Anju also mentioned that the AFI plans to send a national team to the World Relays in May in Botswana, with selection trials taking place during the third National Open Relay Competition on March 28 in Chandigarh. Foreign teams are anticipated to participate in Chandigarh as well,” she explained.

According to Anju, the 65th National Inter State Senior Athletics Championships, scheduled for June 24 to 28 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, will serve as the final selection trials for the Asian Games in September. “This year, our primary focus will be on the Asian Games in Japan,” she emphasized.

India achieved a remarkable total of 29 medals, including six golds in track and field events at the 2022 continental games held in China.

The AFI has already issued guidelines for participation in both the 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Competition and the 65th National Inter State Senior Athletics Championships.

During a recent meeting in Trivandrum, the AFI also revised the domestic calendar for 2026.