India, May 16 -- In a landmark domestic feat, four of India's fastest sprinters recently shattered the men's 4x100m national record, which had stood unbroken for 15 years. Gurindervir Singh, Animesh Kujur, Amlan Borgohain, and Manikanta Hoblidhar clocked a blistering 38.69 seconds at the India Open Relays, sending ripples through the Indian athletics circuit. All four represented the Reliance Foundation Youth Sports (RSF) in Chandigarh, and the new national record now stands in the name of RSF.

The feat, though, wasn't just about raw speed; it also symbolised a shift in Indian athletics. For the first time, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has opened domestic competitions to private sports organisations, allowing entities like RSF...