Bhubaneswar, March 24 – With India set to host the 2028 World Indoor Athletics Championships, Bhubaneswar will host the two-day inaugural edition of the National Indoor Athletics Championships, providing athletes with a platform to prepare for the mega event.
The National Indoor Athletics Championships, scheduled to begin on Tuesday at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, will mark a new beginning for Indian athletics, says Athletics Federation of India (AFI) president Bahadur Singh Sagoo.
"Competitors are excited to add a new chapter to their athletics profile," Sagoo told the media during a Monday interactive session.
The first edition of the National Indoor Championships, which has attracted 278 entries, including 97 female athletes, will certainly serve 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 on the 200m indoor track," Sagoo added.
Odisha's rising international sprinter, Animesh Kujur, is all set to test his explosive strength over the 60m dash, saying he is looking forward to a good start to the 2026 competitive season. "I'm excited to compete in my first indoor competition, especially 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, having 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 for athletes. "The Odisha government-run indoor arena at Kalinga Stadium is a big opportunity for athletes to continue practicing 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.