Top Indian Sprinters Prepare for World Athletics Relays Qualification
Synopsis
The inaugural International Invitation Relay Competition in Chandigarh will see the country's premier sprinters compete for a chance to qualify for the World Athletics Relays in Botswana. With national pride at stake, all eyes will be on the athletes as they strive to achieve the necessary times for qualification.
Key Takeaways
Top Indian sprinters are competing for qualification in the World Athletics Relays.
The competition will be held on March 28 in Chandigarh.
Participating nations include Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
Qualification is based on World Rankings.
Six relay events will take place in Botswana.
Chandigarh, March 27 (NationPress) The inaugural International Invitation Relay Competition is set to take place this Saturday in Chandigarh, showcasing the nation's elite sprinters as they strive for qualification in the World Athletics Relays scheduled for May 2-3 in Gaborone, Botswana.
This domestic event, occurring on March 28 at the Sector 7 Sports Complex, marks the final opportunity for national relay teams to secure their spots for the global competition.
Chief athletics coach Radhakrishnan Nair expressed optimism, stating, “We anticipate that our national relay team members will perform at their peak and stay focused on qualifying for the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone.”
Participating nations include Bhutan, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Nepal in this invitational event.
The upcoming competition in Botswana will feature six relay events: 4x100m (men and women), 4x400m (men and women), and mixed relays (4x100m and 4x400m), as confirmed by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) in their recent statement.
According to World Athletics regulations, the qualification period commenced on January 1, 2025, concluding on April 5, 2026. Teams ranked within the top 24 globally on the Road to Gaborone will be eligible to compete. Top sprinter Animesh Kujur, the national record holder for 100m and 200m, emphasized the need to give their utmost effort.
The national men's 4x100m relay team currently holds the 25th world ranking with a time of 38.75 seconds achieved on June 7 last year in Taipei. “Achieving a time of 38.50 seconds is crucial for our qualification,” the chief coach remarked.
Meanwhile, the national women's 4x100m relay team is within the qualification threshold, currently ranked 23rd globally with a time of 43.86 seconds recorded at the 2025 Gumi Asian Athletics Championships.
The national mixed 4x400m relay team is also on track for Botswana, holding the 22nd world ranking after clocking 3:14.81 in Guangzhou, China, last year.
Key athletes for the national 4x400m relay team include Olympian Rajesh Ramesh and national men's 400m record holder Vishal TK, who has a record time of 45.12 seconds.
Coach Nair remained confident about a strong performance this Saturday, stating, “We are hopeful that all four national relay teams will meet the target times necessary for a trip to Botswana.”
The top 24 teams will be officially announced by World Athletics after April 5.
Additionally, the third edition of the National Open Relay Competition will be concurrently held at the same venue.
Point of View
But a crucial opportunity for Indian athletes to showcase their talents on a global stage. With qualification for the World Athletics Relays at stake, the focus on performance and determination will be imperative for success.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the International Invitation Relay Competition?
It is a relay competition featuring the country's top sprinters, serving as a qualification event for the World Athletics Relays in Botswana.
When and where is the competition taking place?
The competition is scheduled for March 28 at the Sector 7 Sports Complex in Chandigarh.
Which countries are participating in the event?
Countries participating include Bhutan, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
What are the qualification criteria for the World Relays?
Teams must be ranked within the top 24 on the World Rankings by April 5, 2026, to qualify.
How many relay events will be held in Botswana?
There will be six relay events: 4x100m and 4x400m for men and women, and mixed relays.
