The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has announced a comprehensive selection roadmap for India’s men’s and women’s 4x100m relay squads ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi–Nagoya, Japan, scheduled from 19 September to 4 October 2026.
The federation will select eight athletes each for the men’s and women’s squads, using a mix of performance-based qualification and overall season assessments. This early announcement gives sprinters more than a year to prepare while ensuring that India’s fastest and most reliable baton-runners are in top shape for the continental stage.
Two-Step Selection Process
The AFI’s selection plan hinges on two key criteria:
- Top Six on Performance – Six athletes in each category will be picked purely on their performance at the 64th National Open Athletics Championships, to be held from 27–30 September 2025 in Ranchi. This event will act as the primary trial, with times and race execution playing a decisive role.
- Two by Season Merit – The remaining two places in each squad will be filled based on athletes’ overall performances during the 2025 domestic season. This allows selectors to consider proven performers who might have had an off-day at the Nationals but have otherwise shown consistent form across multiple competitions.
Mandatory Participation in Inter State Championships
To be eligible for selection, all athletes must compete in the 64th National Inter State Senior Athletics Championships, scheduled from 20–24 August 2025 in Chennai. This requirement ensures that every relay aspirant is race-fit and active in the domestic circuit ahead of the final trials. The Inter State meet will serve as a form-check event, enabling coaches and selectors to monitor potential squad members under competitive pressure before the high-stakes National Open Championships.
Relay-Specific Training Camps
Once the squads are finalized, the AFI will place all selected athletes into joint relay training camps. These camps will focus on improving baton exchanges, refining changeover zone execution, and synchronizing running order based on individual strengths.
In recent years, such camps have proved beneficial. Ahead of the Asian Athletics Championships earlier this season, the men’s 4x100m relay team trained at the Jio Institute in Maharashtra, while the women’s squad prepared at the Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (LNCPE) in Trivandrum. These camps allowed athletes to work on team chemistry and technical precision — factors that can make the difference between a podium finish and a missed opportunity in short relay races.
Importance of Early Planning
By laying out the roadmap well in advance, the AFI is giving athletes clarity on what is expected and how they will be evaluated. Relay events are unique in athletics because they depend not only on individual speed but also on seamless teamwork and split-second coordination.
The 4x100m relay, in particular, demands precise timing in baton exchanges within a 20-metre changeover zone. Even a minor misstep — a late exchange, a fumbled baton, or stepping out of the lane can lead to disqualification. Early planning allows teams to rehearse these technical aspects repeatedly, ensuring smooth execution under competition pressure.
India’s relay teams have shown encouraging progress in recent years. The men’s 4x100m team has consistently clocked competitive sub-39-second timings, putting them within striking distance of Asian medal contention. The women’s squad, meanwhile, has earned podium finishes in regional meets and is aiming to close the gap on powerhouses like China, Japan, and Bahrain.
While the individual talent pool in sprinting has grown, relay medals often require more than just raw speed. Teams with slightly slower individual runners can sometimes outperform faster squads through cleaner baton exchanges and disciplined teamwork. The AFI’s structured selection and training process directly addresses this reality.
Competitive Landscape at the Asian Games
At the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China and Japan dominated the men’s and women’s 4x100m events. For India to challenge these teams in Aichi–Nagoya, it will need not only its fastest sprinters but also those who can adapt to the technical and psychological demands of relay running.
The inclusion of athletes based on seasonal merit not just one trial is particularly important in building a squad that can handle the pressures of a major multi-sport event.
The road to the Asian Games relay team will follow this schedule:
- 20–24 August 2025 – National Inter State Senior Athletics Championships (Chennai)
- Mandatory for all relay aspirants; fitness and form check.
- 27–30 September 2025 – 64th National Open Athletics Championships (Ranchi)
- Primary selection event; top six in each category chosen on performance.
- October–November 2025 onwards –
- Relay training camps at high-performance centres for squad integration and technical fine-tuning.
The AFI’s proactive planning signals a shift toward more professional preparation models in Indian athletics. Similar approaches have already yielded results in middle- and long-distance events, and now the federation is applying them to sprints and relays.
By ensuring that relay squads train together well ahead of the Games, the AFI aims to avoid the last-minute preparation that has sometimes plagued past campaigns. The goal is to reach the 2026 Asian Games with teams that are not only physically prepared but also mentally in sync and tactically sharp.
For sprinters across the country, the message is clear: consistent performance, competitive readiness, and willingness to work in a team setup will be key to securing an Asian Games berth. With the selection criteria now public, athletes can plan their seasons accordingly, peaking at the right time to impress selectors in Ranchi while also maintaining form throughout 2025.
Bottom line The AFI’s detailed roadmap for the men’s and women’s 4x100m relay teams to the 2026 Asian Games marks a decisive step in India’s pursuit of relay medals at the continental level. By blending performance-based selection, seasonal assessment, and dedicated team training, India’s sprint squads will head into Aichi–Nagoya with both speed and cohesion the essential ingredients for success in one of track and field’s most electrifying events.
