Adille Sumariwalla

Adille Sumariwalla, born on January 1, 1958, is the president of Athletic Federation of India. He has made significant contributions both in athletics and as a business leader in his long spanning career of more than 45 years. An Olympian who represented India in the 100m sprint at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, Sumariwalla has since become a key figure in sports administration and the media industry.

Sumariwalla's interest in athletics began in school and continued at the University of Bombay, where he set a 35 year long-standing 200m record. He won a gold medal at the South Asian Games in 1984 and held the national 100m sprint record for 18 years. His athletic achievements earned him recognition early on, awarded him the prestigious Arjun Award and he later made a name for himself as a coach.

Beyond the track, Sumariwalla served as the president of the Athletics Federation of India and became the first Indian to be elected to the council of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). His administrative role was significant when Neeraj Chopra won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics during his presidency.

Sumariwalla's business career is as notable as his sports career. After working for 15 years at Tata Motors, he entered the media sector. He was the founding CEO of The Asian Age and worked at Mid Day Multimedia. He founded Interspace Communications Pvt. Ltd., adding to his profile as a successful entrepreneur.

Educated with a MBA followed by studies at Harvard Business School, Sumariwalla has used his education to excel in various roles. He has chaired several committees in sports organizations and contributed to sports development and integrity.

He has also been involved in charitable activities, such as raising funds for the Terry Fox Committee, and has served on several academic and sports councils, advocating for better sports facilities and high standards for athletes.

In summary, Adille Sumariwalla's journey from an Olympic sprinter to a leader in sports administration shows his versatility and commitment. His work continues to influence the fields of athletics in India, inspiring future generations of athletes and leaders.