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National Indoor Athletics Championships Launch in Bhubaneswar, Paving Way for 2028 Worlds

The inaugural National Indoor Athletics Championships begins in Bhubaneswar, marking a significant step for Indian athletics. AFI President Bahadur Singh Sagoo states the event will act as a catalyst for future competitions and help athletes prepare for the 2028 World Indoor Championships. The two-day event features prominent athletes like sprinter Animesh Kujur and triple jumper Praveen Chithravel. The Odisha government's indoor facility at Kalinga Stadium provides athletes with a crucial all-weather training and competition venue.

Key Points: National Indoor Athletics Championships Begin in Bhubaneswar

  • Inaugural national indoor event
  • Prep for 2028 World Indoors
  • 278 athletes participating
  • Features 60m dash and long jump
  • All-weather facility in Odisha
2 min read

National Indoor Championships to herald a new beginning in Indian athletics: AFI chief

AFI chief hails new National Indoor Championships in Bhubaneswar as a catalyst for athletes preparing for the 2028 World Indoor Athletics event.

"Competitors are excited to add a new chapter to their athletics profile. - Bahadur Singh Sagoo"

Bhubaneswar, March 24

With India set to host the 2028 World Indoor Athletics, Bhubaneswar will host the two-day inaugural edition of the National Indoor Athletics Championships, setting the framework for the athletes to prepare for the mega event.

The National Indoor Athletics Championships, scheduled to start Tuesday at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, will herald a new beginning in Indian athletics, says Athletics Federation of India (AFI) president Bahadur Singh Sagoo.

"Competitors are excited to add a new chapter to their athletics profile," the AFI president told the media during an interactive session on Monday.

The first edition of the National Indoor Championships, which has attracted 278 entries including 97 female athletes, will certainly act as a catalyst for upcoming competitions, says Sagoo.

"The two-day indoor competition, which has attracted young and experienced athletes, will be a good platform to test skills over the 200m indoor track," the AFI president added.

Odisha's rising international sprinter, Animesh Kujur, is all set to test his explosive strength over the 60m dash, saying he is looking ahead to a good start to the 2026 competitive season. "I'm excited to compete in my first indoor competition, that too on my home ground," says the 100m/200m national outdoor record holder.

India's national outdoor record holder in men's triple jump, Praveen Chithravel, is the most experienced of all, as he has competed in several indoor competitions in Europe and Asia. The Tamil Nadu international jumper will compete in Bhubaneswar in the men's long jump. "The atmosphere during indoor competitions is electrifying," says Chithravel. "The compact Indoor track arena allows athletes more opportunities to connect with the fans and, at the same time, boost self-confidence."

Odisha's Director of Sports, Veddula Vijay, said the indoor facility in Bhubaneswar is a boon to athletes. "The Odisha government-run indoor arena at Kalinga Stadium is a big opportunity for athletes to continue to practice in all-weather conditions," Vijay said.

The first medal event of the opening day on Tuesday will be the men's 3,000m track race. The competition will be conducted in both senior and U20 age groups. The competition concludes on Wednesday.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Great to see 97 female athletes participating! We need more platforms like this for women in sports. Hope this inspires many young girls across the country.
V
Vikram M
Odisha is becoming a real sports hub. From hockey to athletics, the state's investment is paying off. Good luck to Animesh Kujur on his home ground!
R
Rohit P
While this is a positive step, I hope the focus remains on developing talent at the grassroots level across all states, not just building infrastructure in a few places. The athlete count seems a bit low for a national championship.
S
Sarah B
The all-weather practice facility is a game-changer. Indian athletes often lose crucial training time during the monsoon. This is a smart, long-term investment.
K
Karthik V
Exciting times for Indian athletics! Hope we discover some new stars here. The compact arena should make for a great spectator experience too. Jai Hind!

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