National Games controversy: AFI’s Race Walking snub leaves Uttarakhand disappointed

Race walking, a sport in which Uttarakhand has traditionally performed well, has been unexpectedly excluded from the athletics program of the National Games. This decision by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has shocked the race walkers and the host state, which has earned five medals in this discipline in the past two National Games held in Gujarat and Goa.

Uttarakhand’s protest against the decision

The Uttarakhand Olympic Association and the State’s Department of Sports have formally written to AFI, requesting the reinstatement of race walking in the event. For Uttarakhand, which has a strong legacy in race walking, this omission is a significant blow. According to Paris Olympian Suraj Panwar, who won gold in the 20km race walk at the Goa National Games, this decision is both disappointing and demotivating for the athletes.

Panwar highlighted that the National Games, being hosted in their home state, was an excellent opportunity for Uttarakhand’s race walkers to shine. "We were preparing for the event with high hopes of winning medals for the state. Excluding race walking has come as a huge setback for us," he said.

Another prominent athlete, Paramjeet Singh Bisht, who also competed at the Paris Olympics, expressed surprise over the exclusion. In the Gujarat Games, both the 20km and 35km race walking events were held, while the Goa Games included only the 20km race. Athletes were unsure if the 35km event would be held in Uttarakhand, but removing even the 20km race was unexpected. "We had focused on 20km as it was included in Goa. This sudden exclusion is disheartening," Bisht added.

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AFI's justification

The AFI has explained that the decision was made after careful consideration by the Games Technical Conduct Committee. The committee decided that excluding race walking would better serve the top athletes’ preparation for international events. This year, the focus is on preparing Indian athletes for the Asian Championships in Korea (May) and the World Championships in Tokyo (September).

The technical committee, during the AFI’s Annual General Meeting in Chandigarh, determined that limited domestic competitions for race walkers would help them peak at major international events. The subpar performance of India’s five race walkers at the Paris Olympics influenced this decision.

Despite AFI’s rationale, the decision has not gone down well with the hosts and other stakeholders. Uttarakhand officials argue that race walking is one of the state’s key medal-winning events and should not have been excluded. "We have formally asked the AFI to reinstate the sport. Even the Services team, which includes many top race walkers, is advocating for its inclusion," an official said.

Coaches and experts have also criticized the move, stating that domestic competitions are essential for developing young talent. One coach argued, “Managing an athlete’s peak performance is the job of national coaches. Domestic events like the National Games play a crucial role in identifying and nurturing promising athletes. Excluding an event is not the solution.”

Race walking has long been a stronghold for Uttarakhand, and the sport’s exclusion has raised concerns about its impact on upcoming athletes. While elite athletes can train for international events, domestic competitions are crucial for grooming the next generation. Coaches believe that the AFI should have found a middle ground by allowing domestic-level athletes to compete while exempting elite athletes from participation.

The National Games, scheduled from January 28 to February 14, are being closely watched as Uttarakhand’s hosting capabilities come under scrutiny. For a state known as the cradle of race walking in India, this exclusion feels like a missed opportunity to showcase its talent and strengthen its reputation in the sport.

As the debate continues, race walkers and their supporters in Uttarakhand hope that the AFI will reconsider its decision and reinstate the sport. For now, the exclusion of race walking remains a controversial topic, leaving the hosts and athletes grappling with disappointment and uncertainty.