AFI gives athletes second shot at CWG qualification in Ludhiana

Athletes like Ancy Sojan, Vishal TK and Animesh Kujur, who narrowly missed the Commonwealth Games qualifying mark set by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) during the National Senior Athletics Federation Competition in Ranchi (May 22–25), will get another chance to make the cut at the Ludhiana leg of the Indian Athletics Series on June 13.

Ancy missed the mark in the women’s long jump by 9cm, Vishal fell short by 0.02 seconds in the men’s 400m, while Animesh was just 0.03 seconds off the qualifying standard in the men’s 200m.

It is also a huge opportunity, especially for the men’s javelin throwers, after none managed to cross the qualifying mark of 82.61m on the final day in Ranchi.

“AFI is giving eligible athletes another chance to achieve CWG qualification standards in their respective events,” said Adille Sumariwalla, chairman of the AFI Selection Committee.

“This is because several athletes narrowly missed the AFI qualification criteria at the just concluded 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Competition in Ranchi.”

However, there is a caveat! Performances at the Indian Athletics Series in Ludhiana will be considered for selection only if the athletes had competed in the four-day meet in Ranchi.

According to Sumariwalla, athletes had written to the AFI stating that they were unable to deliver their best performances due to unfavourable weather conditions, particularly on the concluding day.

“After due deliberation, the members of the AFI Selection Committee unanimously agreed to give another platform to athletes to achieve the qualification mark,” the World Athletics vice-president said in a release.

While long-distance runners struggled in the heat during mornings, strong winds on the final evening may have hampered performances in several events.

The AFI’s CWG selection guidelines will remain unchanged. “The opportunity will be given to athletes in events in which they were close to the qualification marks in Ranchi,” he added.

Also among those who narrowly missed the mark was Krishna Jayasankar. She won the women’s shot put with a throw of 17.35m, just 27cm short of the CWG mark of 17.62m. She also took bronze in the discus (55.00m) and is likely to have another shot, with the qualification standard set at 56.85m.

Athletes who have already achieved the CWG qualification mark in Ranchi will remain qualified. “However, if they wish to participate in Ludhiana, they can take part,” Sumariwalla said.

The decision is likely to bring relief to many athletes, and this athlete-friendly move was praised by Tejaswin Shankar after winning gold in Ranchi.



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