THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, APRIL 24, 2026
The Odisha Gymnastics
Association (OGA) on Friday announced that the Junior and Senior Artistic
Gymnastics National Championships 2026-27 will be held at Kalinga Stadium,
Bhubaneswar, from April 25 to May 3, 2026.
The prestigious championship is
being organised by the Odisha Gymnastics Association in collaboration with the
Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI), with support from the Sports and Youth
Services Department, Government of Odisha.
An official press conference
was held in Bhubaneswar in the presence of Bijay Kumar Swain, Additional
Secretary, Sports and Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha; Kallol
Mukherjee, Chief Operating Officer, Gymnastics Federation of India; Ashok
Sahoo, General Secretary, Odisha Gymnastics Association; Dhiran Panda,
Executive Member, Odisha Gymnastics Association; Dhiroj Kumar Pattnaik, Officer
on Special Duty, Sports and Youth Services Department; Rakesh Patra, National
Coach, Indian Gymnastics Team; and Ashok Mishra, Competition Manager, Artistic
Gymnastics Championships.
Addressing the media, Kallol
Mukherjee highlighted the championship's importance in India's gymnastics
calendar.
"The National
Championships remain a critical benchmark in India’s gymnastics calendar.
Performances here will directly influence selections for major upcoming
international competitions, including the Asian Championships, Asian Games, and
the Commonwealth Games. The depth of talent we are witnessing today reflects
the steady progress of gymnastics in India, and platforms like these Nationals
are essential to building that competitive edge."
Emphasising Odisha's growing
stature as a sporting powerhouse, Bijay Kumar Swain said: "Odisha has
consistently focused on strengthening its sports ecosystem through world-class
infrastructure, scientific training support, and grassroots development
initiatives. Gymnastics is gaining strong momentum in the state, and hosting
prestigious national events such as this championship further reinforces our
commitment to nurturing talent and positioning Odisha as a leading centre for
sporting excellence in India."
Ashok Sahoo noted that the
championship will serve as a crucial selection trial for the 2026 Commonwealth
Games and the 2026 Asian Championships. He said the Nationals will provide a
vital platform for Indian gymnasts, who have been training intensively, to
showcase their skills while also offering emerging athletes an invaluable
opportunity to learn and compete alongside the country's best.
He also thanked the Gymnastics
Federation of India and the Government of Odisha for their continued support in
promoting the sport and creating pathways for aspiring gymnasts.
More than 600 gymnasts from 25
states, three Union Territories, and Services teams will participate in the
championship across Men's Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) and Women's Artistic
Gymnastics (WAG). Competitions will feature team events, individual all-around
contests, and apparatus finals in both junior and senior categories.
Top Indian gymnasts, including
Pranati Nayak, Tapan Mohanty, Yogeshwar Singh, Ashish Kumar, Protishta Samanta,
and Tapeswaranath Das, are expected to compete alongside a host of emerging
talents from across the country.
The championship will be
conducted on FIG-approved apparatus and overseen by a technical panel of over
300 officials, including judges, coaches, and support staff, ensuring the
highest standards of competition. Athletes will also have access to dedicated
warm-up and training facilities adjacent to the High-Performance Gymnastics
Centre.
The opening ceremony will take place on April 25. The men's competitions will conclude with the finals and closing ceremony on April 28, while the women's finals and closing ceremony are scheduled for May 3.
The return of the National Championships to Odisha marks another significant milestone in the state's sporting journey, underscoring the collaborative efforts of OGA, GFI, and the Government of Odisha in advancing gymnastics from the grassroots to the elite level.
