Bhubaneswar: A total of 28 athletes will represent Odisha at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships 2026, scheduled to be held at Kalinga Stadium from June 24.
The five-day event will witness the participation of more than 600 athletes from 26 states across the country. Top officials of the Athletics Federation of India and senior athletes addressed a press conference on the eve of the event.
Some of the country’s top athletes, including 5,000m national record holder Gulveer Singh and World Championships finalist high jumper Sarvesh Kushare, will compete on a brand-new track. The winners of the competition will qualify for the 2026 Asian Games, which will be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4, 2026.
Hosted by the Odisha Athletic Association, the championship will feature nearly 45 events over five days.
Dr. Yeddula Vijay, Director of the Department of Sports and Youth Services, said there are high expectations from the Odisha athletes, as competing on home ground will give them an added advantage.
Athletes will try their luck in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, 10000m, 110m / 100m Hurdles, 400m Hurdles, 3000m Steeplechase, Half Marathon Race Walk, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Pole Vault, Shot Put, Discus Throw, Hammer Throw and Javelin Throw, along with the 4x100m, 4x400m and 4x400m Mixed Relays.
