AFI to ban unauthorised marathons, road races

Pune, July 24 (UNI) The Athletic Federation of India (AFI) has decided to ban the mushrooming of unauthorised and illegal marathons and road race events in the country.

Political parties and the political bigwigs tend to draw mileage by hosting the marathons and road race championships to celebrate some events, even their birthday, harming the interest of not only the athletes but also the apex body AFI and its affiliated state units as well.

In a policy decision and as a step to bring uniformity and transparency, the AFI secretary general Dr Lalit Bhanot informed the affiliated state units through a circular recently that stringent action would be taken against those States and athletes who do not abide by the rulings of the constitution of the federation.

As per the AFI constitution, any agency hosting the All India/ State level marathon or road race championships in any State/ Union Teritory other than the State unit, will have to take the prior approval of the federation.

In this connection the state units are requested to keep track of all those unauthorised marathons/ road races and interact with the concerned agencies to ensure that approval of the AFI is taken before organising any event.

The state units also have the stipulated binding and their athletes should not be allowed to take part in the unauthorised event. In case the athletes defy the advice of the state uniit, he or she may be debarred from taking part in the state and national meets.

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