All Asian Games-Bound Athletes to Compete in Final Indian Athletics Series Before Japan 2026
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has confirmed that every athlete selected for the 2026 Asian Games will compete in the final leg of the Indian Athletics Series, giving the country's top track and field stars one final competitive outing before departing for Aichi-Nagoya.
Scheduled for September 10, the concluding leg of the domestic circuit will serve as the last competition for India's Asian Games-bound athletes ahead of the continental showpiece, which will be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4. The decision comes as Indian athletics enters one of its busiest phases of the season, with preparations simultaneously underway for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Asian Games later this year.
Although the official Indian athletics squad for the Asian Games has not yet been announced, AFI President Bahadur Singh Sagoo confirmed that every selected athlete will participate in the final Indian Athletics Series event before travelling to Japan. Unlike the previous rounds of the competition, the final leg will be conducted as an invitational meet, with participation determined by athletes' rankings in their respective events.
The competition was originally scheduled for September 12, but the federation has advanced it by two days to September 10, providing athletes with additional recovery time before the Asian Games begin. The event is expected to bring together India's leading performers across track and field disciplines, offering an important opportunity to assess form and make final adjustments before the continent's biggest sporting event.
The Indian Athletics Series has become an integral part of the domestic calendar, providing athletes with regular high-quality competition throughout the season. However, the final leg carries added significance. With only nine days separating the competition from the opening of the Asian Games athletics programme, the event will act as a final dress rehearsal for the Indian contingent. Athletes and coaches will use the meet to fine-tune race strategies, competition routines and technical execution while maintaining competitive sharpness without overloading their schedules.
For several athletes, it will also be their final opportunity to compete under race conditions before facing Asia's best in Japan.
While the official squad announcement is still awaited, the selection process has already been completed. The 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships, held in Bhubaneswar from June 24 to June 28, served as the primary selection event for the Asian Games. India's top athletes across sprints, middle-distance running, jumps, throws and race walking competed during the championships, with performances helping determine the final squad for Aichi-Nagoya.
The National Inter-State Championships once again underlined their importance as India's premier domestic athletics competition, often deciding national team selection for major international events. The September 10 meet will therefore focus on preparation rather than qualification, allowing selected athletes to sharpen their form before travelling overseas.
AFI Revises Remaining Domestic Calendar
In addition to confirming the final leg, the Athletics Federation of India has also announced changes to the schedule for the remaining Indian Athletics Series competitions.
The revised calendar is as follows:
13th Leg: August 18 (previously August 14)
14th Leg: August 25 (previously August 16)
15th Leg: September 2 (previously August 29)
Final Invitational Leg: September 10 (previously September 12)
While the competition dates have changed, the federation confirmed that all venues will remain unchanged.
The revised schedule provides athletes with a more balanced competition calendar during an important period of the international season.
Before attention turns to the Asian Games, India's leading athletes have another major assignment on the horizon. A contingent of Indian track and field athletes departed for Europe on Saturday as part of their preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which begin in Glasgow on July 23. The overseas training and competition programme is designed to provide athletes with valuable international exposure ahead of the Games.
Another batch of Indian athletes is expected to leave for Europe early next week, ensuring that the majority of the contingent benefits from overseas preparation before the Commonwealth Games commence. Competing in Europe has become an increasingly important part of India's high-performance programme, allowing athletes to face stronger international competition while adapting to conditions similar to those expected during major championships.
The coming months promise to be among the busiest of the year for Indian athletics. Following the Commonwealth Games, athletes will quickly shift their focus back to the domestic calendar before making final preparations for the Asian Games. Managing training loads, recovery and travel will be crucial as athletes attempt to peak for multiple major competitions within a short span.
Several of India's biggest stars—including Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, national record holders, reigning Asian medallists and emerging youngsters are expected to feature in the final Indian Athletics Series meet before heading to Japan. The event could also give fans one last opportunity to watch India's leading athletes compete on home soil before they chase medals at the Asian Games.
With the National Inter-State Championships completed, the domestic calendar revised and overseas preparation already underway, Indian athletics has officially entered the final phase of its build-up to the 2026 Asian Games. The decision to ensure all selected athletes compete in the final Indian Athletics Series reflects AFI's emphasis on maintaining competitive rhythm ahead of one of the most important events of the season.
As the official squad announcement draws closer, attention will now turn to the Commonwealth Games before India's track and field stars return home for one final domestic test on September 10—just days before beginning their quest for medals in Aichi-Nagoya.
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