Athletics Federation of India to host Indian Athletic Awards 2026 on June 20
New Delhi, June 11
The Athletics Federation of India will host the inaugural edition of the Indian Athletic Awards on June 20 in Delhi, in a landmark initiative aimed at recognising excellence in Indian athletics and celebrating the individuals who continue to drive the sport forward.
The awards have been conceptualised as a platform to honour current and former athletes, coaches, technical officials, mentors, state associations, sponsors, and all other stakeholders whose contributions have played a vital role in India's growing success on the global athletics stage.
Most of India's leading current and former athletes are expected to be part of the event, making it a significant gathering for the Indian athletics fraternity and a celebration of the sport's rapid rise in the country. Such initiatives will play an important role in boosting the morale and confidence of Indian athletes, especially young and emerging talents, while also helping create a stronger culture of recognition and inspiration within the sport.
The ceremony will honour excellence across 10 award categories, including Lifetime Achievement Awards, Best Athlete (Male and Female), Best Coach, Best Technical Official, Best State Association and Best State Supporting Athletics.
AFI President, Bahadur Singh Sagoo, said, "Indian athletics has witnessed a lot of growth over the last few years, with our athletes delivering strong performances on the global stage. The Indian Athletic Awards are a celebration of not only medal winners, but also the coaches, officials, mentors, associations and institutions that work tirelessly behind the scenes to strengthen the sport in the country. We look forward to honouring individuals who continue to inspire the next generation of athletes."
AFI Senior Vice President Anju Bobby George said, "This awards ceremony serves to honour the commitment and resilience demonstrated at all levels of Indian athletics. From promising newcomers to established champions and their vital support networks, every effort plays a crucial role in fostering a robust sporting culture. Indian athletics is poised for an exhilarating chapter, and these awards will pay tribute to the individuals who are instrumental in shaping this journey."
Olympic and World Championships medallist Neeraj Chopra said, "To boost the morale and confidence of young Indian athletes, initiatives like the Indian Athletic Awards are extremely important. Recognising and celebrating the hard work of athletes, coaches and support staff motivates the entire sporting ecosystem and inspires the next generation to dream bigger and perform better for the country."
The awards to be presented during the evening include:1. Best Male Athlete of the Year: 2025 2. Best Female Athlete of the Year: 2025 3. Best Coach of the Year: 2025 4. Life-time Achievement Athletics Award (3 Awards)5. Best State Association of the Year: 2025 6. Best Technical Official of the Year: 2025 7. Best State Supporting Athletics8. Organisation supporting Athletics9. Partner supporting Athletics.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Great initiative but I hope they actually reward real contributions and not just big names. We have seen so many awards becoming just a photo op in India. The selection criteria should be transparent, especially for the Lifetime Achievement Awards. Also, good to see Anju Bobby George involved in this—she's a true legend!
Beautiful! From Milkha Singh to Neeraj Chopra, our athletics journey has been incredible. Young athletes need these moments of recognition to keep going. Mark my words, with proper support and awards like this, India will soon have multiple Olympic medals in athletics. Jai Hind! 🙏
As someone who follows Indian sports closely, this feels like a much-needed step. The Best State Association and Best State Supporting Athletics categories are particularly smart—states like Haryana, Odisha, and Kerala have done amazing grassroots work. Hope the award ceremony is live-streamed so fans across India can watch!
Good move by AFI, but let's not forget that our athletics infrastructure still needs massive improvement. Awards are great for motivation, but what about proper training centers in tier-2 cities? What about stipends for young athletes from poor families? Recognition without support won't take us far. Hope the government takes note.
So excited for this! As a former college athlete myself, I know how much these small recognitions mean. Neeraj Chopra's words about dreaming bigger are absolutely right—this will motivate so many young girls in villages to pick up javelin or running. Also, the "Best Technical Official" category is a nice touch; officials are the unsung heroes!
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