The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has shortlisted 68 probable athletes for a high-performance training camp in Spala, Poland, as preparations gather pace for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games in Nagoya.
According to sources, the final squad for the overseas camp will be confirmed by 30 June, following the conclusion of the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships and the finalisation of India’s Asian Games contingent.
The camp is expected to bring together India’s leading athletes across track and field disciplines for an intensive training block before the country’s two biggest multi-sport events of the year.
Why Spala?
For decades, Spala has been regarded as one of Europe’s premier athletics training destinations. Home to the renowned National Centre for Sports Training, the Polish town has hosted Olympic champions, World Championship medallists and elite athletes from across Europe and beyond.
The facility is equipped with world-class infrastructure, including a six-lane indoor track, outdoor athletics stadium, specialised throws and jumps areas, strength and conditioning centres, sports science laboratories and recovery facilities. The campus also offers residential accommodation, allowing athletes, coaches and support staff to train together in a high-performance environment.
Spala’s relatively quiet surroundings and cool summer weather make it particularly attractive for endurance, sprint and field-event athletes looking to maximise training quality while escaping the heat and humidity that prevail in much of Asia during this period.
Indian athletes have trained in Spala on several occasions over the past decade, with the venue becoming a preferred overseas base before major international championships. The centre’s sports science support, physiotherapy services and competition-quality facilities have made it one of the most sought-after preparation hubs in Europe.
Final Selection After Inter-State Championships
The ongoing Inter-State Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar have assumed added significance, serving not only as India’s premier domestic competition but also as the final opportunity for athletes to achieve qualification standards and impress selectors ahead of the international season.
Several athletes have already secured the Asian Games qualification mark during the championships, while others remain locked in close contests for places in the national squad.
Sources indicated that the final list of athletes travelling to Poland will be finalised once performances at the Inter-State Championships have been assessed and the Athletics Federation of India completes its selection process for the Asian Games.
With both the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games scheduled later this year, the Spala camp is expected to play a crucial role in India’s medal preparations, giving athletes an uninterrupted block of high-quality training before the international season reaches its peak.