PT Usha, Anju Bobby George Among 4 Legends Honoured at Inaugural Indian Athletics Awards 2026

Four of the legends in the field of Indian sports received the Lifetime Achievement Award during the very first Indian Athletics Awards held by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). These individuals include sprinter and president of Indian Olympic Association (IOA), PT Usha; Asian Games gold medalist, Gurbachan Singh Randhawa; national chief coach, Bahadur Singh Chauhan; and World Championship bronze medalist, Anju Bobby George. On receiving this award, PT Usha remarked that she never expected it. She further said, "I did not apply for this award. In India, it is usually very difficult to receive any award without applying for it. This initiative of AFI is really commendable."

The Athletics Federation of India started this initiative in order to recognize the contributions of athletes, coaches, technical officials, mentors, state associations and others towards development of athletics in India. In this very first edition, awards have been given in ten different categories such as Best Male Athlete, Best Female Athlete, Best Coach, Best Technical Official, Best State Association and Lifetime Achievement Award.

PT Usha is counted among India's greatest athletes. She won multiple medals at the Asian Games and represented India at three Olympic Games. She currently serves as the President of the Indian Olympic Association. Anju Bobby George made history by winning a bronze medal in the women's long jump event at the 2003 World Athletics Championships in Paris. Meanwhile, Gurbachan Singh Randhawa has been a pioneering figure in Indian track and field. He won the gold medal in the decathlon at the 1962 Asian Games. As the national chief coach, Bahadur Singh Chauhan played a pivotal role in taking Indian athletics to new heights over a long period and trained generations of athletes.