"Anju Bobby George Named Chairperson of AFI Athletes Commission, Neeraj Chopra Joins as Member".

Awards

On 8 January 2025, legendary long-jumper Anju Bobby George was appointed as the Chairperson of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI)'s Athletes Commission. The commission also includes two-time Olympic medallist and javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra as one of its members.


      - The commission consists of nine athletes from India, including six women and three men.

      - The commission comprises six women athletes: Anju Bobby George, a 2003 World Championships bronze medallist and senior vice president of the AFI; runner Jyotirmoyee Sikdar; discus thrower Krishna Poonia; hurdler M.D. Valsamma; steeplechaser Sudha Singh; and runner Sunita Rani.

      - The commission also includes three male athletes: javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, 3000m steeplechaser Avinash Sable, and newly-elected AFI President Bahadur Singh Sagoo, a shot put gold medallist at the 2002 Asian Games. Bahadur Singh Sagoo was the chairman of the previous Athletes Commission.

Main Point :-   (i) Former AFI President Adille Sumariwalla, who served three consecutive terms since 2012, will remain part of the executive council as an ex-officio member due to his position on the World Athletics Council.

      (ii) The Athletes Commission represents the viewpoints and interests of athletes within the governing bodies of the Athletics Federation of India, with eligibility requiring athletes to be champions at the Asian or Commonwealth Games or participants in the Olympics or World Championships.

(iii) The commission's tenure is four years, with the current members serving the 2025-2029 cycle.

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