The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is designing a comprehensive monitoring system aimed at significantly improving the performance of Indian athletes. This initiative comes as the federation sets its sights on achieving greater success at major international events, particularly the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games scheduled for next year. The AFI's move reflects a strategic effort to build on recent successes and establish a more robust and data-driven approach to athlete development.

The core objective of the new monitoring system is to provide a more detailed and consistent overview of athlete progress. This will enable coaches and support staff to identify areas where athletes excel and pinpoint areas needing improvement. By tracking various metrics related to training, competition performance, and overall well-being, the AFI aims to create a holistic view of each athlete's development. This data-centric approach is expected to facilitate more informed decision-making, leading to tailored training programs and interventions.

One of the key features of the envisioned system is its ability to analyze trends and patterns in athlete performance. By collecting and analyzing data over time, the AFI can gain insights into the effectiveness of different training methodologies and identify factors that contribute to success. This will involve looking at a range of performance indicators, including speed, strength, endurance, and technique. The system will also consider other elements influencing athlete performance, such as nutrition, sleep patterns, and injury history.

The AFI's initiative also emphasizes the importance of athlete management. The monitoring system will help manage athlete profiles, track injury status, and coordinate training schedules efficiently. This coordinated approach ensures that athletes receive appropriate care and support, minimizing the risk of injuries and optimizing their training programs. Effective athlete management is crucial to maintaining a high level of performance and ensuring athletes can consistently compete at their best.

Encouragement for this new monitoring system comes from the decentralization of national coaching camps after the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The overall results showcased marked improvement at the Asian Championships in South Korea last month and the domestic competitions.

In addition to performance enhancement, the AFI is committed to maintaining the integrity of the sport. As part of the monitoring system, the federation plans to integrate measures to ensure fair play and prevent doping. This includes regular testing of athletes, both in and out of competition, and strict adherence to anti-doping regulations. The AFI is also focused on educating athletes about the dangers of doping and promoting a culture of clean sport.

The AFI recognizes that achieving its goals requires a collaborative effort. The federation is actively seeking the support of various stakeholders, including the Sports Authority of India, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, and other sports organizations. By working together, these entities can provide athletes with the necessary resources, training facilities, and expertise to excel on the international stage. The AFI is also focused on upgrading the knowledge of coaches and technical officials. Establishing an infrastructure of coaches recruited by AFI/SAI is an essential step to improve the local athletics scene. Qualified people need to take responsibility for the development of particular event groups. Coaches are supposed to follow a holistic development plan and apply AFI's development/training philosophy as well as newest scientific insides and training methods.

Looking ahead, the AFI's robust monitoring system represents a significant step towards modernizing and enhancing Indian athletics. By embracing a data-driven approach and prioritizing athlete well-being, the federation is laying a strong foundation for future success. As the 2026 Asian Games and Commonwealth Games approach, the AFI is confident that its athletes will be well-prepared to compete at the highest level and bring home a greater number of medals.