Bhubaneswar Hosts Successful National Para-Athletics Championships 2026

National Para-Athletics Championships Concludes in Bhubaneswar

The 24th National Para-Athletics Championships 2026 wrapped up at the renowned Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.

The closing event was attended by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Sports & Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, who recognized the top-performing states for their outstanding accomplishments.

After four days of fierce competition featuring over 1,400 athletes, Haryana claimed the title of overall champion, leading the medal count with a total of 95 medals, including 39 gold.

Tamil Nadu secured the second position with 51 medals, while Gujarat took third place with 30 medals.

Host state Odisha achieved a commendable fifth place overall, significantly aided by the gold and silver medal performances of prominent athletes such as Suchitra Parida, Jayanti Behera, and Janaki Oram.

In his speech, Chief Minister Majhi reiterated Odisha's status as the 'Sports Capital of India' and made several important announcements. He assured that the Kalinga Stadium complex will continue to develop, providing advanced sports facilities for both para-athletes and general athletes.

He emphasized that the Odisha government is fully equipped to offer comprehensive support for hosting any national or international sporting events.

Additionally, the Chief Minister announced that Bhubaneswar will host the World Athletics Indoor Championships in 2028, marking India's first time hosting a global track and field championship.

"Odisha has made its mark on the global stage. We are prepared to demonstrate our organizational capabilities and Indian hospitality to the world in 2028," stated CM Majhi.

During a two-day meeting on March 18-19, the World Athletics Council selected Odisha and Astana in Kazakhstan to host the World Athletics Indoor Championships in 2028 and 2030, respectively.

The decisions were made during the 240th World Athletics Council Meeting held in Torun, Poland, prior to the World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26.

Among other decisions, Hefei in China was awarded the 2028 World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships.