New Delhi: In a big blow to the organisers of the Sunfeast 10km International Run to be held in Bangalore on May 23, the Athletics Federation of India withdrew its recognition and asked its athletes not to take part in the event.

With top Indian athletes being barred by the AFI, the event which was last year granted IAAF's highest 'Gold' label, is expected to lose much of the sheen.

"The AFI has not sanctioned permission to Procam International to conduct the Sunfeast 10km International Run in Bangalore on May 23 as the organisers had not followed AFI procedures," an AFI release said.

"Any AFI affiliated unit, Boards, Clubs, athletes and officials taking part or associating themselves in any manner with the event will be liable to face disciplinary action, including suspension, as provided for in the AFI constitution," AFI Secretary-General Lalit Bhanot said in the release.

Apparently the AFI wanted the organisers to hold the event on a date prescribed by the federation as the Indian athletes would be preparing for the Commonwealth Games. The AFI annual general meeting in Manesar early this month had taken the decision that the federation would have a major say in deciding when to hold the road-running events and marathons.

"India's best distance runners could be affected by road running, especially in the year of the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. It is surprising that Procam International, whose representative was present at the AFI annual general meeting in Manesar, should go ahead and attempt to organise the event despite not having AFI's permission to conduct it," Bhanot said.