Bhubaneswar: Six Odisha athletes will compete on home soil when Kalinga Stadium hosts the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Meet on August 22, 2026.
Animesh Kujur will run the 100m, Swadhin Kumar Majhi will compete in the High Jump, and Kishore Jena will take part in the Javelin Throw. Bapi Hansda will feature in the 400m, while Srabani Nanda and Pragyan Prasanti Sahoo will both compete in the women’s 100m.
The one-day event is being jointly organised by the Sports and Youth Services Department, government of Odisha, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), and World Athletics.
The meet has been upgraded to Silver status following last year’s successful Bronze-level event. It serves as a major preparatory step toward the World Athletics Indoor Championships and the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, both scheduled to be held at Kalinga Stadium in 2028.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Odisha continues to drive Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming India into a global sports hub.
The competition will feature 187 elite athletes from 26 countries, including 143 top performers from 12 Asian nations. Fans will witness competition between 88 Indian and 99 international athletes. Prominent foreign contingents include 24 athletes from Sri Lanka, 17 from South Africa, and 11 from Brazil.
The meet includes 18 events split equally between men and women. Men will compete in 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.
Top performers will earn World Ranking points along with cash prizes of USD 1,600 for first place, USD 1,200 for second place, and USD 900 for third place.
Speaking at a press conference in Bhubaneswar, Minister for Sports and Youth Services Suryabanshi Suraj expressed enthusiasm over hosting a Silver-level event after last year’s Bronze meet.
He said the prize money reflects the tournament’s growing stature. He noted that state athletes are being given opportunities to rank within the top 6-8 globally under World Athletics rules, enabling wider participation for athletes from Odisha and India. A welcome banquet hosted by the Governor has been arranged for the athletes, and the CM will attend the event on competition day.
AFI Chairman Dr. Lalit Kumar Bhanot said the event offers a unique platform with two finals and enhanced opportunities for Indian athletes. He noted that Kalinga Stadium houses India’s only indoor track and confirmed that 50% foreign participation compliance has been met, with athletes from Glasgow and competitors ranked within the global top 50 taking part.
Athletes also shared their perspectives on the meet. Indian long jumper M. Sreeshankar, ranked 15th in the world, called Kalinga Stadium his favourite venue, citing personal best records achieved there.
He described the meet as a key pit-stop ahead of major upcoming events. Fellow Indian long jumper Ancy Sojan Edappilly, ranked 41st, called the event a vital training milestone ahead of the Asian Games.
Brazilian 100m hurdler Vitoria Alves, ranked 22nd, praised the track conditions as ideal preparation for the upcoming South American Games. Nigerian shot putter Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, ranked 9th, commended the local training facilities on his first visit to India and said he was committed to delivering a strong performance despite the warm weather.
Kalinga Stadium management said it was fully prepared to host the event on August 22. The press conference was also attended by Sports Director Dr. Yeddula Vijay, AFI Treasurer B. Stanley Jones, and AFI Executive Secretary G. Srinibas Pattnaik.
