Bhubaneswar: Odisha is set to solidify its status as a global sports powerhouse, with Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar hosting the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Meet on August 22.
The single-day event has been organized by the Sports and Youth Services Department, government of Odisha, in collaboration with the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and under the aegis of World Athletics.
Addressing a pre-event press conference in Bhubaneswar, Dr. Vijay Yeddula, Director of Sports for the government of Odisha, said stepping up to a Silver-level Continental Tour event was a major milestone for the state, cementing Odisha’s position as India’s premier athletics hub.
He said entry to Kalinga Stadium would be completely free for all spectators, to inspire young children and give families a chance to witness world-class sporting action firsthand.
Dr. Adille Sumariwalla, Vice President of World Athletics and AFI spokesperson, thanked the Odisha government for upgrading the meet from Bronze to Silver level.
He said the presence of 36 top-50 athletes would make the competition extraordinarily competitive and serve as a strong warm-up event before athletes head to Japan for their next major international assignment.
Ashok Kumar Panda, Special Secretary, DSYS, and BE Stanley, Treasurer, AFI, were also present at the press interaction.
The meet marks an upgrade from its Bronze-level status last year. It will serve as a precursor to the World Athletics Indoor Championships and Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, both scheduled to be hosted at Kalinga Stadium in 2028. Under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s leadership, the state said it continues to advance Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of turning India into a global sports hub.
The championship will feature 187 elite track and field athletes from 27 nations, including 143 top performers from 12 Asian countries. Eighty-eight Indian athletes will compete directly against 99 international competitors on home turf. Major international contingents include Sri Lanka with 24 athletes, South Africa with 17, and Brazil with 11.
The field includes 36 athletes ranked among the world’s top 50. Leading the lineup is Muzala Samukonga, World No. 6 and Paris 2024 Olympic men’s 400m bronze medallist, who has a personal season best of 44.02 seconds. He will be joined by Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, World No. 10 in shot put, a Commonwealth Games champion and Paris Olympics finalist.
The competition will feature 18 events split equally between men and women. Men will contest the 100m, 400m, 800m, 110m hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot put and javelin throw. Women will compete in the 100m, 400m, 1500m, 100m hurdles, high jump, long jump, javelin throw, and discus throw. Winners will receive USD 1,600, runners-up USD 1,200, and third-place finishers USD 900, along with world ranking points.
