Odisha to Host Prestigious World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Meet at Kalinga Stadium

Odisha's Rise as a Global Sports Hub

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], August 17: Odisha is poised to enhance its reputation as a significant player in the global sports arena with the upcoming World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Meet, scheduled for August 22 at the renowned Kalinga Stadium.

This event is organized by the Sports and Youth Services Department of the Odisha Government in partnership with the Athletics Federation of India and sanctioned by World Athletics. It marks a significant upgrade from last year's Bronze-level event, as noted in a press release from the Athletics Federation of India.

The meet is expected to be a crucial precursor to the World Athletics Indoor Championships and the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, both of which will take place at Kalinga Stadium in 2028.

Under the guidance of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Odisha is actively working to fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of transforming India into a global sports hub, according to the release.

The championship will feature 187 elite athletes from 27 countries, including 143 top competitors from 12 Asian nations.

Local spectators will have the chance to watch 88 Indian athletes compete against 99 international participants. Notable international teams include Sri Lanka with 24 athletes, South Africa with 17, and Brazil with 11.

The competition will showcase 36 athletes ranked in the top 50 of the World Athletics standings. Among them is Muzala Samukonga, the World No. 6 and bronze medallist in the men's 400m at the Paris 2024 Olympics, who has an impressive personal best of 44.02 seconds.

Joining him will be Nigeria's World No. 10 shot put star Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, a Commonwealth Games champion and finalist at the Paris Olympics.

This single-day event will include 18 disciplines, evenly divided between male and female athletes. Men will compete in events such as the 100m, 400m, 800m, 110m hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot put, and javelin throw.

Women will participate in the 100m, 400m, 1500m, 100m hurdles, high jump, long jump, javelin throw, and discus throw. Top finishers will receive significant cash prizes, with $1,600 for first place, $1,200 for second, and $900 for third, along with valuable world ranking points.

During a pre-event press conference in Bhubaneswar, Vijay Yeddula, the Director of Sports for the Odisha Government, remarked that achieving Silver-level status for the Continental Tour is a significant achievement for the state, reinforcing Odisha's position as the leading state for athletics in India.

He also mentioned that to encourage families and young fans to experience world-class sports, entry to Kalinga Stadium will be free for all attendees.

Adille Sumariwalla, Vice President of World Athletics and spokesperson for the AFI, expressed his appreciation to the Odisha Government for elevating the meet from Bronze to Silver level. He noted that the presence of 36 top-50 athletes will create a highly competitive atmosphere, serving as an excellent preparation for athletes heading to Japan for their next major international competition.

Ashok Kumar Panda, Special Secretary of DSYS, and BE Stanley, Treasurer of AFI, were also present at the press conference.