AFI appoints 6 Women Athletes to its Commission making it Gender-Balanced

By: WE Staff | Thursday, 9 January 2025

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has appointed six women to its nine-member athletes commission, making it the most gender-balanced panel in its history, chaired by legendary long jumper Anju Bobby George, with Neeraj Chopra as the most prominent male member.

Members of the Commission:

Anju Bobby George (Chairperson)

She secured a bronze medal at the 2003 World Championships and was also a senior vice president at AFI.

Jyotirmoyee Sikdar (Runner)

Indian middle-distance runners set national records in the 800-meter and 1500-meter events.

Krishna Poonia (Discus Thrower)

She holds the Indian national record for discus throw with a distance of 64.76 meters, set in 2012.

M.D. Valsamma (Hurdler)

She secured Gold in the Asian Games and Asian Championships and was a recipient of the Arjuna Award & Padma Shri.

Sudha Singh (Steeplechaser)

Sudha holds the national record in the 3000-meter steeplechase with a time of 9:26.55 at the 2016 Shanghai meet.

Sunita Rani (Middle-Distance Runner)

Sunita won both gold and bronze at the Asian Games 2002 and set a national record of 4:06.03 in the 1500 meter.

Neeraj Chopra (Javelin Thrower)

Two Time Olympic Champion, Neeraj is a trailblazing javelin thrower.

Avinash Sable (3000m Steeplechaser)

Avinash holds a national record of 8:09.91 in the 3000-meter steeplechase at the 2024 Paris Diamond League.

Bahadur Singh Sagoo (Shot Put Athlete and AFI President)

Newly elected President of the AFI succeeding Aduille Sumariwalla has secured Gold at the 2002 Asian Games with a shot put throw of 19.03 meters.

In addition to this, the AFI announced that the Federation Cup, the first major national senior championships of the season, will be held in Kozhikode, Kerela, from April 21-24, the National Inter-State Senior Championships will be held in Chennai, from August 20 to 24, and the National Open Championships will be hosted in Ranchi, Jharkhand from September 27 to 30.