India, May 11 -- The Athletics Federation of India will penalise athletes going abroad to compete or train without prior approval. A new AFI rule requires them to send a detailed proposal at least a month in advance and get clearance. The decision was made at AFI's core committee meeting.

The move comes in the wake of many top athletes, backed by private sponsors, going on foreign tours to train and compete without informing AFI. The new rule will allow AFI to track athletes and ensure they are not "evading dope testing officials".

"Disciplinary action will be taken against those individual athletes who don't take prior permission to compete and train on foreign soil from the national governing body of track and field," AFI president Ba...