Bhubaneswar: Odisha will host the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Meet at the Kalinga Stadium here on August 22, bringing 187 elite athletes from 27 countries to the state capital for a high-profile one-day competition.
The event, jointly organised by the Sports and Youth Services Department of the Odisha government, Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and World Athletics, has been upgraded to Silver status after last year’s successful Bronze-level meet.
The competition is being seen as an important build-up to the World Athletics Indoor Championships and Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, both scheduled to be held at Kalinga Stadium in 2028.
Of the 187 athletes participating in the meet, 88 are from India and 99 are from overseas. The international field includes 143 athletes from 12 Asian countries, with sizeable contingents from Sri Lanka, South Africa and Brazil comprising 24, 17 and 11 athletes respectively.
The meet will feature 18 events, with nine each for men and women. The men’s programme includes the 100m, 400m, 800m, 110m hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot put and javelin throw, while the women’s events comprise the 100m, 400m, 1500m, 100m hurdles, high jump, long jump, javelin throw and discus throw.
Apart from competing for podium finishes, athletes will also have an opportunity to collect World Ranking points. The winners will receive USD 1,600, while the second- and third-placed athletes will get USD 1,200 and USD 900 respectively.
Several athletes from Odisha will compete in the event, including Animesh Kujur in the 100m, Swadhin Kumar Majhi in high jump, Kishore Jena in javelin throw, Bapi Hansda in the 400m, and sprinters Srabani Nanda and Pragyan Prasanti Sahoo.
Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said the elevation of the meet from Bronze to Silver reflected the growing importance of the event and Odisha’s expanding role in international athletics.
He said the tournament would provide athletes from Odisha and across India greater exposure to high-level competition and opportunities to improve their World Athletics rankings. He also said the event was being organised in line with the broader objective of strengthening India’s position as a global sporting destination.
A welcome banquet for participating athletes has been arranged by the Governor, while Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is scheduled to attend the competition on August 22.
AFI Chairman Lalit Kumar Bhanot said the Silver meet would provide Indian athletes with enhanced competitive opportunities, including two finals. He also highlighted Kalinga Stadium’s indoor track, described as the country’s only such facility, and said the event had met the requirement for 50 per cent foreign participation.
Bhanot said the field includes athletes who have competed in Glasgow as well as competitors ranked among the world’s top 50.
Indian long jumper M Sreeshankar, ranked 15th in the world, described Kalinga Stadium as one of his favourite venues, recalling personal-best performances recorded there. He said the meet would serve as an important stop in his preparations for major international competitions.
Fellow Indian long jumper Ancy Sojan Edappilly, ranked 41st globally, said the competition would provide valuable preparation ahead of the Asian Games.
Brazilian 100m hurdler Vitoria Alves, ranked 22nd in the world, praised the track conditions and said the competition would help her prepare for the South American Games.
Nigerian shot putter Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, ranked ninth globally, said he was impressed by the training facilities during his first visit to India and expressed confidence of producing a strong performance despite the warm conditions.
Sports Director Yeddula Vijay, AFI Treasurer B Stanley Jones and AFI Executive Secretary G Srinibas Pattnaik were also present at the press conference.
The Kalinga Stadium authorities have completed preparations to host the international athletics meet on August 22.
