AFI’s Vendor Overhaul Opens Multi-Crore Opportunity as 90% of Tracks Fail Quality Test
AFI flags 90% of India’s tracks as substandard, opening major opportunities for global vendors as the federation plans a certified supplier list to upgrade athletics infrastructure.
India’s athletics infrastructure crisis is rapidly evolving into a major business opportunity for global and domestic vendors, after the Athletics Federation of India confirmed that more than 90% of synthetic tracks in the country are substandard.
The revelation, backed by discussions with World Athletics, has forced AFI to step in directly, marking a structural shift in how tracks will be built, certified, and awarded going forward. With hundreds of tracks requiring relaying or upgrades, the sector is now opening up to fresh bids, stricter compliance norms, and higher-quality material sourcing.
AFI to Invite Global Players, Raise Entry Standards
At the centre of this shift is AFI’s plan to overhaul the vendor ecosystem and eliminate low-quality contractors.
“We will likely come out with a list of genuine vendors worldwide whose materials can be used.”
The move is expected to bring in certified international track manufacturers and specialised infrastructure firms, while also filtering out “fly-by-night” operators that have dominated the space so far.
Importantly, no official list of approved vendors has been released yet by AFI. Current statements only confirm that such a list is under preparation, meaning the market remains open and competitive for new entrants, provided they meet global standards and compliance benchmarks.
90% Substandard Tracks: Scale of Crisis Driving Infra Demand
The urgency of this opportunity stems from the scale of the problem itself. AFI officials revealed that over 90% of tracks in India are substandard in terms of material, laying, and marking, with instances of tyre rubber being used instead of polyurethane and poor construction practices affecting durability and performance.
This has serious implications. Tracks that should last a decade are deteriorating within a few years, impacting athlete performance and forcing repeated investment cycles.
With AFI now taking control of certification and quality monitoring, India is transitioning from a cost-driven to a quality-driven infrastructure market. For vendors equipped with the right technology and expertise, this reset is not just corrective, it is one of the largest upcoming opportunities in India’s sports infrastructure sector.
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