Kalinga Stadium Set for Global Athletics Showdown on Aug 22

Bhubaneswar is set to shine on the global athletics map as Odisha prepares to host the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Meet at the iconic Kalinga Stadium on August 22, 2026.

The event, upgraded from Bronze to Silver status, will feature 187 athletes from 27 countries, including 88 Indian competitors and 99 international participants.

The meet will showcase 18 events—nine for men and nine for women—spanning sprints, hurdles, jumps, throws, and middle-distance races.

Winners will earn USD 1,600, runners-up USD 1,200, and third-place finishers USD 900, along with valuable World Ranking points.

Odisha’s own athletes, including Animesh Kujur (100m), Swadhin Kumar Majhi (high jump), Kishore Jena (javelin), Bapi Hansda (400m), and sprinters Srabani Nanda and Pragyan Prasanti Sahoo, will compete alongside international stars such as M Sreeshankar (India, long jump, world rank 15), Ancy Sojan Edappilly (India, long jump, rank 41), Vitoria Alves (Brazil, hurdles, rank 22), and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi (Nigeria, shot put, rank 9).

Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj emphasised Odisha’s growing role in global athletics, while AFI Chairman Lalit Kumar Bhanot highlighted the unique indoor track at Kalinga Stadium and its importance ahead of the World Athletics Indoor Championships 2028.

Preparations are complete, with ceremonial events including a banquet hosted by the Governor and attended by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Odisha’s capital is ready to welcome the world.