Date:08/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/08/stories/2008030856072000.htm

Sport - Athletics

AFI to get tough

KOCHI: The Indian cricket team’s stunning success in Australia and the arrival of the IPL and the ICL has left athletics and many other sports events with very little space in the media. Clearly worried that track and field may be pushed back further the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has decided to take a few firm steps to make the sport attractive.

Many big names frequently skip National meets and make championships unattractive. This has not gone well with the federation. “We have made it mandatory for athletes to compete in National meets. They can be exempted for one or two meets if there are genuine reasons for staying away, but not more than that,” the AFI Secretary, Lalit Bhanot, said here on Friday.

“If they skip meets frequently, they will be suspended for a year. We had taken this decision in our recent General Body Meeting.” The decision will be conveyed to the athletes shortly. — Principal Correspondent