AFI spokesperson Adille Sumariwalla said substandard material are being used in more than 90 percent of tracks in India that impacts the performance of athletes and the longevity of the surface. He did not name any particular track.

"We had a meeting with World Athletics in Tokyo and it was very evident from them that they were not happy with the quality (of tracks) that was being certified. So, AFI will now help in certifying and ensuring that all standards of measurement and quality are met," said Sumariwalla.

"I can tell you 90 percent plus tracks in India are substandard. The material, the process, the granules, and the laying methodology are substandard. The thickness is substandard and instead of polyurethane, rubber or tire rubber are being used. There are various issues, including measurements, with 90 plus percent of the tracks," said Sumariwalla, a former AFI president who is a WA vice-president.

The world body showed AFI officials some data during the Tokyo meeting that was "shocking". "World Athletics has asked us to get involved in (the process of) relaying tracks. AFI had stayed away from this for a very long time because we didn't want to get involved. We've never certified any track ever. A lot of these tracks-the way they (contracts) are being awarded is not something that we wanted to get involved in."

The big issue is the right choice of vendors with expertise to deliver quality athletics surfaces. Sumariwalla said AFI discussed the matter at its Annual General Meeting in Kohima to see how they can get involved in the process.

"What is happening is that a lot of people are fly-by-night. They're not even proper vendors. So, we need to look at the quality of the vendors. We will probably come out with a list of vendors worldwide whose substances are to be used. Also, the sort of testing that is done on the track needs to be intensified."

Currently there are nine tracks in India with Class 1 certification of World Athletics and 113 with Class 2 certification, besides two new indoor tracks. The usual practice is for the vendor to first lay the track and world athletics experts then do the tests and certify.

AFI has conducted a course with visiting foreign experts to help Indian officials understand how a track is to be laid, measured and tested. There are two different types of tracks: polyurethane and polychloroprene, and the way these tracks are laid are completely different.

India has several World Athletics-certified tracks. Sumariwalla said there is no danger of their certification getting cancelled but poor quality tracks mean they will not be able to last their full course and the performances of athletes on such tracks will also be impacted.

"Substandard means it (the track) may be too soft or too hard. That doesn't make a difference to World Athletics. Except that in two years a track which should last you 10 years will be finished and you have to re-lay it. Athletes will not get good performance if you have rubber or tires instead of polyurethane."