THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
MARCH 23, 2026
The inaugural edition of the National
Indoor Athletics Championships, set to begin on Tuesday at Kalinga Stadium in
Bhubaneswar, is poised to usher in a new chapter for Indian track and field,
according to Bahadur Singh Sagoo, President of the Athletics Federation of
India (AFI).
Speaking during a media interaction on
Monday, Sagoo highlighted the significance of the two-day championship, noting
that the introduction of indoor competition will broaden competitive exposure
for Indian athletes. He said the event has generated strong enthusiasm among
participants eager to strengthen their performance profiles and gain valuable
experience in a new competitive environment.
The first-ever edition has drawn 278
entries, including 97 women athletes, reflecting growing interest in indoor
athletics across the country. Sagoo emphasised that the championship will serve
as an important catalyst for future indoor competitions and talent development,
providing both emerging and experienced athletes an opportunity to test their
abilities on the 200m indoor track.
Odisha’s rising international sprinter
Animesh Kujur is among the key participants and will compete in the 60m sprint,
aiming to begin the 2026 season on a strong note. The national outdoor record
holder in the 100m and 200m events expressed excitement about making his indoor
debut on home turf, describing the event as a valuable platform to sharpen his
speed and explosive strength early in the season.
Another prominent name in the
competition is Praveen Chithravel, India’s national outdoor record holder in
the men’s triple jump, who brings significant indoor experience from
competitions across Europe and Asia. The Tamil Nadu international will compete
in the men’s long jump in Bhubaneswar and noted that indoor arenas offer a
unique competitive atmosphere, allowing closer interaction between athletes and
spectators, often boosting performance confidence.
Director of Sports, Odisha, Yeddula Vijay, described the state-of-the-art indoor facility at Kalinga Stadium as a major advantage for athletes, enabling year-round training irrespective of weather conditions. He added that the infrastructure strengthens Odisha’s growing reputation as a leading hub for sports development in India.
The championship will feature events across senior and U20 categories, with the men’s 3,000m race scheduled as the first medal event on the opening day. The competition will conclude on Wednesday, marking the beginning of what stakeholders hope will become a regular fixture in India’s athletics calendar.
