Coffee Table Book on Kohima AFI AGM released

New Delhi, September 21 (MExN): A coffee table book commemorating the historic Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) held in Kohima, Nagaland, was released by Dr Lalit K Bhanot, President of the South Asian Athletics Federation, at the AFI Headquarters, New Delhi on September 21.

The publication documents the AGM hosted in Kohima in June 2026, which marked the first occasion that Nagaland hosted the Annual General Meeting of a national sports federation, according to a DIPR report.

The event brought the leadership and representatives of Indian athletics to Nagaland and represented an important milestone in the State's growing engagement with national sporting institutions and its efforts to strengthen the sports ecosystem.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Bhanot congratulated the Nagaland Athletics under the leadership of Abu Metha for organising “the best AFI AGM in a meticulous manner” and for giving all delegates a memorable experience. He thanked the people of Nagaland for their hospitality and specially mentioned the support and contributions of the Nagaland Government under Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio in making the AGM a success and for supporting sports and sportspersons in an exemplary manner.

Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland and Vice President of the AFI, expressed his gratitude to Dr Bhanot and the AFI leadership for their continued support and confidence in Nagaland. He said hosting the AGM in Kohima demonstrated Nagaland's growing capacity to successfully organise important national-level sporting events and institutional engagements.

“The AGM was a historic occasion for Nagaland as it was the first time that our State hosted the Annual General Meeting of a national sports federation. We continue to set new benchmarks and push the envelope. Nagaland is capable of taking on bigger responsibilities, and we will continue to raise the bar, break new ground and punch above our weight,” Metha stated.

Another significant outcome of the AGM was the signing of the Kohima Declaration, which marked an important milestone for Indian athletics. The Declaration is expected to contribute towards strengthening cooperation, institutional development and the continued growth and modernisation of athletics in the country in the years ahead.

Metha said the successful hosting of the AGM and the adoption of the Kohima Declaration reflected the confidence of national sporting institutions in Nagaland and underlined the State's growing contribution to the national sporting landscape. He reiterated Nagaland’s commitment towards creating opportunities for young athletes, strengthening sporting infrastructure and institutions, and positioning the State as an increasingly important destination for national and international sporting events.

The coffee table book captures the proceedings, significant moments and engagements surrounding the historic AGM and serves as a record of an important chapter in the sporting journey of Nagaland.