The Athletic Federation of India (AFI) on June 20 is set to host the inaugural edition of the Indian Athletic Awards. The ceremony will be held in Delhi. The awards aim to honour not just current and former athletes but coaches, technical officials, mentors, state associations, sponsors and other stakeholders as well.
Several current and former athletes will be a part of the event. The event also aims to boost the morale of Indian athletes, especially budding athletes.
There will be 10 award categories at the ceremony. It includes lifetime achievement awards, best athlete (male and female), best coach, best technical official, best state association and best state supporting athletics.
India’s double Olympics medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has lauded the initiative as it recognises athletes’ hard work, motivating the young talent to take up the sport.
“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,” Chopra said ahead of the event.
AFI senior vice president, long jumper Anju Bobby George said that the awards ceremony will be a tribute to athletes and the individuals who play a huge role in their journey to make the nation proud.
“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,” said the 2005 World Athletics gold medal winner.
The AFI President, Bahadhur Singh Sangoo, impressed with athletics’ growth in the last few years, producing athletes who have performed exceptionally on the global stage. He sees the award ceremony not just a celebration of athletes but the people who put in the work behind the scenes.
“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,” Sangoo said.
List of prominent awards at Indian Athletic Awards 2026 -
Best Male Athlete of the Year: 2025
Best Female Athlete of the Year: 2025
Best Coach of the Year: 2025
Life-time Achievement Athletics Award (3 Awards)
Best State Association of the Year: 2025
Best Technical Official of the Year: 2025
Best State Supporting Athletics
Organization supporting Athletics
Partner supporting Athletics.