Introduction

Athletics in India has a deep-rooted history, with traditional events like running, wrestling, and discus throwing practiced for centuries. Over time, modern athletics gained prominence, encompassing disciplines such as track and field, long-distance running, and javelin throw. Indian athletes have steadily improved, securing medals in prestigious events like the Olympics and Asian Games. Government initiatives and enhanced training facilities have contributed to this progress, fostering talent and boosting global competitiveness. Notable achievements in recent years have positioned India as an emerging force in international athletics, inspiring a new generation of athletes and elevating the country’s standing on the global stage.

Indian Athletics

Indian Athletics has seen many changes, ups, and downs during its journey, so far. The history of Indian Athletics dates back to the Vedic era, when Indian people used to take part in various track and field events.

History of Indian Athletics

Dating back to the Vedic period, the history of Indian athletics was moulded into shape by the principles of the Atharva Veda. During the Vedic period, sports like chariot racing, archery, wrestling, weight lifting, swimming and hunting were in vogue.

Management of Indian Athletics

Several Athletics associations are working for the better management of Indian Athletics. The Amateur Athletic Federation of India (AAFI) came into existence in the year 1946 and started working for the management of Indian Athletics.

Sports Authority of India

Sports Authority of India (SAI) is a sports organisation that is working with an objective of training the young and talented Indian Athletes. The SAI was established in the year 1984, as a registered society.

Athletics Federation of India

Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is the non-governmental and non-profitable autonomous body in athletics in India giving opportunities to the Indians to play in the international and national level games.

Indian Olympic Association

Indian Olympic Association is a non-profitable body responsible for selecting the young athletes to represent India at the Olympic Games, Asian Games and other international athletic meets and for managing the Indian teams at the events.

Athletic Meet in India

Athletic Meet in India is an important way to make sure that proper talent hunting process is made possible. This is a system which also helps young and fresh talents to hone their skills and get ready to compete at the highest level.

Athletic Events in India

Athletic events are considered to be one of the earliest sporting events in India, their inception dating back to the Vedic era. Indians have practised and rigorously engaged in different athletic events since the distant past, also as part of physical exercise regimen.

Indian Athletes and Olympics

Indian Athletes and Olympics have their association dated back to 1928. Indian athletes have participated on a regular basis in the Olympic Games. Indian women participated in Olympics after 1980.

Indian Athletes

Indian Athletes includes those individuals who have made their mark in the international scene with their talent and athletic endeavor. Indian athletes started playing in the international athletic meets for the first time in 1948.

Paralympics Athletes in India

Paralympics Athletes in India contested in different level competitions of both national and international level, though they have the incapability. But they overcame the hurdles with their sheer strength and courage to combat.

Indian Athletics Training Centers

Indian Athletics Training Centers are well equipped with proper infrastructure and provide the facilities to the young aspirants. Such training centers are constituted in order to develop excellence by upgrading the skills of Indian sports persons.

Indian Male Athletes

Indian Male Athletes shine in athletics in both national level and international level. Indian Male Athletes have shown considerable success in various international championships.

Indian Female Athletes

Indian female athletes bought laurels to their mother land by establishing records and winning titles on the national and the international arena.

Arjuna Awardees in Athletics

The field of Athletics has almost dominated the winners` list of the very much prestigious and honourable "Arjuna Award." Since the Award was incepted in the year of 1961, there are a lot of sportspersons in India who have got the award and make themselves proud.

Track Events in Athletics

Track events in India are mainly associated with the various types of athletic events, which involve activities like throwing, running and jumping. These games are popular in Asiads, Olympics and the Commonwealth Games.

Field Events

Field events in India can be categorized into high jump, cross bar, pole vault, triple jump and long jump. Indian athletes are becoming popular in sports scenario, as they are glorifying their names in field events.

Combined Events in Sports

Combined events are mainly divided into two main parts like Decathlon (Men) and Heptathlon (Women). Decathlon in Greek means "ten prizes". Decathlon consists of 10 events. Heptathlon, instituted in 1984 in place of Pentathlon, consists of seven events.

Throwing Events

Throwing events are a part of Olympic and Commonwealth events and go back a long way in history. The throwing events in India came in the limelight after the Second World War.

Roller Sports in India

Roller Sports in India is a recreational sport introduced in India from the colonial era. Roller sports in India are governed by the Roller Skating Federation of India, which was founded by S.P.Mumick in 1955.

Water Sports in India

Water sports in India are fast gaining popularity among the people. India, as a country, has fast emerged as one of the most famous destinations for water sports in the world.

Shooting in India

Shooting in India has been popular for quite a long time. The maharajas of India especially in Rajasthan, Odisha, Punjab, Gujarat and Tripura were fond of shooting and used to go out frequently on horseback. Apart from hunting, shooting was also used in military training.

Types of Jumping

Jumping can be categorized into four different types. These are long jump, triple jump, pole vault and high jump. Skydiving and Bunjee jumping are the two popular jumping activities now become popular in India as an adventure sport.

Handball in India

Handball in India with its entire verve has earned the status of one of the most sought after sports in the country. Handball is concentrated in Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Vidharbha and Jammu and Kashmir.

Indian Martial Arts

Indian Martial Arts exhibit great variety in their form and style. In modern India, martial arts have become one of the necessities especially for girls. Different regions of the country have different martial art forms.

Wrestling in India

Wrestling in India is a traditional game. This game has gained a new momentum with the hands of Pro Wrestling League India (PWL), which is considered as the giant leap for the wrestlers of India in the world of sports.

Gymnastic in India

Gymnastic in India is funded and well supported by Gymnastic Federation of India (GFI). Gymnastic is now becoming popular after Dipa Karmakar won a bronze medal in Gymnastics at the 2014 Commonwealth Games

Basketball in India

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in all the parts of the world. Basketball in India started in 1930 and the first world class basketball tournament was conducted in 1934.

Skating in India

Skating in India is fast becoming a popular sporting event. It is also a well-known adventure sport in India. Over the years several skating centers have come to the fore especially in northern part of India and Kolkata, West Bengal.

Snooker in India

Snooker in India is held without any promotions. This game is concentrated among the posh families. The snooker players have over the years represented India at various national and international events.

Golf in India

Golf in India is one of the oldest and widely played games in India. Indian Golf has earned a lot of recognition and reputation all over world since its inception.

Swimming in India

Swimming in India is a popular sport and recreational activity. Swimming involves using of arms and legs to move the body through water. India has many swimmers of national and international acclamations.

Badminton in India

Badminton in India is played at both national as well as regional levels. This sport is regarded as hugely popular and it is controlled and managed by the Badminton Authority of India. 

Cycling in India

Cycling in India dates back to 1938, is now a popular sport in urban and rural area. The competition is mainly based on racing and gear cycle.

Rowing in India

Rowing in India is a popular sport that involves propelling a boat through water to cover a specific distance in the quickest possible time.  Bajrang Lal Takhar hailing from Sikar District of Rajasthan, is one of the prolific rowers in India.

Archery in India

Archery in India has risen over the years and in the recent times people are actually taking up this game as a profession. Historically the game was mainly practised by people from the higher ranks of the society.

Mountaineering in India

Mountaineering in India is a challenging popular concept; given the country's entire north and north-eastern borders is the highest mountain range in the world, the mighty Himalayas.

Squash in India

Squash in India is run and managed by several national and state level organizations, which are an integral part of the Management of Indian Squash.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling in India

Scuba diving and snorkeling in India is fast becoming one of the popular sports in India. This adventure sport is popular in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands.

Kayaking and Rafting in India

Kayaking and Rafting, or more popularly known as White Water Rafting, is adventure, speed, thrill and exhilaration mingled into one. It is a recreational outdoor sport of navigating through a flowing water body.

Angling and Fishing in India

Angling and Fishing in India are very popular and there are many fishing destinations in India. The angling and fishing are now the hottest addition in the rivers of Uttarakhand and Kerala.

Paragliding and Hang-Gliding in India

Paragliding and hang gliding in India have always been fascinated by notion of free flight. Since eternity, it has captured the imagination of mankind.

Billiards in India

Billiards in India has always been considered as one of the strongest powerhouses in the world of Billiards. The main reason behind this is the utter dominance of the Indian Billiards players.

Weightlifting in India

Weightlifting is a popular sporting event in India, which requires strength, agility and power. The weightlifters of India show their talents in regional, national and international sports arena.

Pehlwani in India

Pehlwani, an oldest form of combat sports, also known as Kushti, is an Indian wrestling and the martial art form that is derived by the amalgamation of Indian Malla Yuddha and the Persian Varzesh-e Bastani.

Sports Climbing in India

Sports climbing in India is a style of rock climbing that also relies on permanent anchors fixed to the rock, especially bolts for protection. It contrasts with conventional climbing, in which, the rock is typically devoid of fixed anchor and climbers.

Rugby in India

Rugby in India dates back to 1871, when few matches were played in Madras (now Chennai) and Calcutta (now Kolkata). In independent India, rugby is considered as the minor sport.

Judoka in India

Judoka in India have, over the years, been successful in the form of sport called Judo. Judo came to India during the rule of British colonialism in India.

Trekking in India

Trekking in India is one of the major adventure sports in the country. The trekking among the most stunning trails provides for the best experiences.

Skiing in India

Skiing in India is a popular sport and with time it has gained immense popularity. Over the years, India as a nation, have developed as the best destination for people. One of the main reasons for the popularity of skiing in India is its easy accessibility in beautiful locales.