Tejaswin Shankar, Animesh Kujur and Jay Kumar (in order from the left) at a media interaction on the eve of the 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Competition 2026. | Photo Credit: RITU RAJ KONWAR

Notwithstanding some major withdrawals, a rush of big names – including Tejaswin Shankar, Animesh Kujur, M. Sreeshankar, Tajinderpal Singh Toor, Sachin Yadav and Annu Rani – promises to make the 29th National Federation Athletics Meet a mouthwatering affair.

The event, starting at the Birsa Munda Stadium, Morabadi, here on Friday, is the last qualifying event for the Commonwealth Games. Athletes achieving prescribed qualification marks will be eligible to compete in Glasgow.

World and Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who is nursing injuries, Asian Games champion and Commonwealth Games silver-medallist steeplechaser Avinash Sable, who delayed his return from an injury lay-off, Commonwealth Games champion triple jumper Eldhose Paul and Asian Games medallist Parul Chaudhary are some leading names who are skipping the event.

Parul, who clocked an impressive 9:12.84 in the 3000m steeplechase in the Diamond League in China this month, has requested the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) to consider her performance for CWG selection.

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A maximum of 16 men and as many women athletes can represent the country in the CWG. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) selection committee may use its prerogative to consider some athletes, who take permission and achieve the qualifying mark in ‘recognised events.’

The conducive weather at the peak of summer here has enthused the athletes. Tejaswin, who trained and competed in the USA for about five months, sounded optimistic.

“The weather is good. If I qualify for high jump and decathlon, that will be unprecedented,” said Tejaswin, the national decathlon and high jump record holder, who has done 2.26m in high jump and 7947 points in decathlon this season.

Kujur, too, was confident. “I’m focusing on the 200m, that’s my favourite event,” said Kujur.

The event, witnessing the introduction of SRY Gene Test at the domestic level, will also serve as the qualifying event for the Asian Under-23 championships.

Published on May 21, 2026