Top Indian Athletes Set to Train at Olympic Sports Center in Spala, Poland Ahead of 2025 Inter-State Championships
In preparation for the 2025 Inter-State Athletics Championships, a strong contingent of India’s top track and field athletes is set to train at the prestigious Olympic Sports Center in Spala, Poland. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has confirmed plans to send 30–35 elite athletes to this high-performance hub, aiming to give them access to world-class facilities and international competition opportunities in the critical build-up to India’s national season.
Why Spala?
Located in central Poland, the Spala Olympic Sports Center is renowned for hosting elite training camps for athletes from around the world. Equipped with state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor tracks, strength & conditioning zones, physiotherapy and recovery facilities, it has become a preferred destination for Indian athletes in recent years. In fact, India’s Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra had trained in Poland as a junior and famously set the U20 World Record (86.48m) at the IAAF World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, 2016.
India’s Top Sprinters and Throwers Headlining the Camp
According to AFI Chief Coach Radhakrishnan Nair, the list of athletes includes some of India’s top names in the 400m, middle and long distances, and throws. Many of these athletes are either preparing for the Inter-State Championships or building up toward global events in the 2025 season.
Men’s 400m Squad:
- Jay Kumar, Dharamveer, Mohit, Santhosh Kumar, Vishal T.K., Manu T.S., Rince Joseph, Rajesh Ramesh, and Amoj Jacob
This squad includes multiple national relay members and finalists from past Asian and Commonwealth Games. With strong depth in the men’s quartermile event, India is eyeing a return to form in the men’s 4x400m relay at global stages.
Women’s 400m Squad:
- Rupal Chaudhary, Subha Venkatesan, Kiran Pahal, Jisna Mathew, and Kunja Rajitha
Rupal and Subha are already knocking on the doors of international podiums, while Kiran Pahal had clocked an impressive 23.33s in the 200m at a competition in Poland when Indian contingent was there last . The Polish stint will allow the women’s 400m pool to refine their speed endurance and peaking strategies.
Throwers’ Group:
- Tajinderpal Singh Toor (Shot Put), Rohit Yadav and Sachin Yadav (Javelin)
Toor, India’s long-time shot put leader and Asian record holder, will be focusing on technique refinement and competition rhythm. Rohit and Sachin, part of the next generation of Indian javelin throwers, will gain valuable exposure in European meets.
Middle & Long Distance Runners:
- Ajay Saroj, Krishan Kumar, and Yoonus Shah
These athletes are vital components of India’s middle-distance scene, with Ajay and Krishan having consistently performed at the national level. The group will benefit from Spala’s altitude conditioning and expert coaching environment tailored to aerobic development.
Competition at České akademické hry – Atletika on 26 June
Most of the athletes training in Spala are also expected to compete at the České akademické hry – Atletika meet on June 26, a World Athletics “F” category competition. Such meets not only provide high-quality racing but also offer critical World Ranking points, which are key for qualification to global championships like the World Championships and the Olympics.
India’s participation in multiple meets across F, E, D, and C categories in Poland and nearby countries is strategically planned to simulate international competition pressure while also improving the athletes’ global standing.
A Strategic Step by AFI
This overseas training block reflects AFI’s continued investment in scientific training and international exposure. In 2016, a similar group of 40 Indian athletes had trained in Spala, and since then, many of them have gone on to become Olympic and World Championship performers.
With World Championships on the horizon and the domestic calendar heating up, AFI’s move to set up training bases abroad not only prepares athletes physically but also mentally for bigger stages.
What This Means Ahead of Interstate 2025
The Inter-State Athletics Championships, scheduled shortly after the European tour, is one of India’s premier selection trials for major international meets. With the likes of Amoj Jacob, Rajesh Ramesh, Rupal, Toor, and Ajay Saroj sharpening their form in Europe, fans and selectors alike will be keenly watching their return performances.
The Polish camp is expected to be the final push for athletes looking to hit qualification marks, improve rankings, or build momentum for the back half of the 2025 season.
The Road Ahead
From 400m specialists to throwers and distance runners, the current Spala-bound group reflects India’s growing depth in athletics. This proactive exposure not only boosts individual confidence but also lays a strong foundation for India’s relay and team events in global meets.
As the European season unfolds and training intensifies in Spala, Indian athletics fans can look forward to faster times, bigger throws, and world-class performances from a well-prepared squad.
India is not just participating anymore — it’s preparing to contend.
Source NNIS
