AFI to start meet for colleges, schools

Athletics Federation of India on Saturday decided to introduce national championships at the school and college levels from next season to tap talent from among younger age group athletes.

The decision was taken on the first day of the two-day Annual General Meeting of the AFI here.

The federation, after detailed deliberations, decided to start the National School Athletics Championships and National Inter-Collegiate Athletics Championships from next year.

“In the first day of Annual General Meeting here, it was decided to add two more national level championships to the Indian athletics calendar from next year onwards for school and collegiate athletes,” the AFI said.

“It will be on the lines of popular NCAA championships of the United States,” said AFI President Adille J Sumariwalla.

Following the decision to start the two new championships, it was decided to scrap the 25-year-old National Inter-Zonal championships from next year onwards.

“However, the zonal championships will be retained for two more years. Thereafter, a final decision about its continuity may be taken,” Sumariwalla said.