Athletics Federation of India sets tougher Commonwealth Games 2026 qualification standards
NEW DELHI — The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has set tougher qualification standards for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, according to a report by The News Mill published on Wednesday. The revised criteria raise the bar for Indian track-and-field athletes seeking selection to the national contingent.
By Source Reporters Newsdesk
Fri, 17 July 2026 · 1 min read
NEW DELHI — The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has set tougher qualification standards for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, according to a report by The News Mill published on Wednesday. The revised criteria raise the bar for Indian track-and-field athletes seeking selection to the national contingent.
The News Mill reported that the federation's new benchmarks are stricter than those used for previous editions of the Games, a move that will require athletes to post stronger performances at designated domestic and international events before they can secure a berth in Glasgow.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games are due to be staged in Glasgow, Scotland, and athletics traditionally forms one of India's largest medal-contributing programmes. National federations set their own qualifying marks; athletes must meet them to be named to their country's squad.
**Global and Commonwealth context**
India is among the strongest Commonwealth athletics nations, and tighter selection rules are likely to sharpen competition for places in the Indian team. Other Commonwealth countries, including Nigeria and Kenya, are also finalising squads and qualification pathways ahead of the Glasgow programme, which features athletics, swimming, boxing and 3x3 basketball among its sports.
*Score: N/A — this is a qualification-standards story, not a live match; no final score is asserted as fact.*
**Related coverage**
- [Commonwealth Games 2026: qualification tracker](https://sourcereporters.com/sport/commonwealth-games-2026-qualification)
- [India athletics at the Commonwealth Games](https://sourcereporters.com/sport/india-athletics-commonwealth-games)
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