By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:A new chapter has been added to the sports history of Odisha today. The “First National Indoor Athletics Championship 2026” has officially begun at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, with the joint efforts of the Athletics Federation of India, Odisha Athletics Association and the Sports and Youth Services Department of the Government of Odisha.
Odisha has become the first state in the country to build such a world-class indoor stadium, setting a milestone in the field of Indian sports.
This event is expected to pave the way for the 2028 World Championships.The state government has once again proven Odisha as the ‘sports capital’ of the country.
Odisha Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Shri Suraj Suryavanshi has termed the hosting of the first National Indoor Athletics Championship at Kalinga Stadium as a historic moment. He said that all the questions raised regarding this indoor hall have been put to rest and the event has paved the way for the 2028 World Championships. He congratulated the athletes and proudly presented Odisha as the sports capital of the country.
Athletics Federation of India President Bahadur Singh Sagoo delivered the welcome address on the occasion of the first National Indoor Athletics Championship-2026 being held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. He said that this is a significant moment in the history of sports in India as Odisha is the first state in the entire country to build such a world-class indoor stadium.
At the inaugural ceremony, Sports and Youth Affairs Commissioner and Secretary Shri Bhupendra Singh Punia proposed the vote of thanks.Among others present at the event were Sports Director Dr. Yedula Vijay, Additional Secretary of Sports and Youth Affairs Department Mr. Nelson Lakra, Mr. Vijay Kumar Swain, Mr. Ashok Kumar Panda, Technical Officer and Treasurer of Athletics Federation of India Mr. Stanley Jones, President of Athletics Federation of India Mr. Adil Sumariwala, President of Odisha Athletics Association Dr. G.S. Patnaik, General Secretary of Odisha Olympic Association Mr. Abhijit Pal.
