Exciting News: 24th National Para Athletics Championship Set for March in Bhubaneswar!
National Para Athletics Championship Announcement
Bhubaneswar: The 24th National Para Athletics Championship is set to take place at Kalinga Stadium from March 18 to 21, organized by the Paralympic Committee of India in partnership with the Sports & Youth Services Department of Odisha and the Para Sports Association of Odisha. This event underscores the state's dedication to fostering an inclusive sports environment. The opening ceremony is scheduled for March 18 at 4:00 PM.
The championship will be inaugurated by Shri Suryabanshi Suraj, the Minister for Sports and Youth Services. According to Mr. Satyanarayana, Chairman of Para Athletics at PCI, around 1,460 para-athletes from 28 states will compete in 145 medal events, including teams from the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB). Events will be held in both morning and evening sessions, with competitions running from March 19 to 21, featuring morning sessions from 9 AM to 11 AM and evening sessions from 4 PM to 8 PM. Odisha will field a strong team of 40 athletes, led by Ms. Suchitra Parida, a national record holder in the F55 Javelin throw. Haryana will bring the largest contingent and is the defending champion from the previous championship in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
The event will showcase several prominent Paralympic medallists, including Mariyappan Thangavelu (Gold – Rio 2016, Silver – Tokyo 2020, Bronze – Paris 2024), Sumit Antil (F64) (Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024), and Navdeep Singh (F41) (Gold Medallist – Paris 2024 Paralympic Games), among others. The Odisha government has provided extensive logistical and financial support for the championship, which aims to highlight elite athletes, emerging talents, and promising young sportspeople, celebrating their determination and excellence. This championship will also be pivotal in selecting athletes for the upcoming Asian Para Games in Aichi–Nagoya, Japan, scheduled for October 18–24, 2026, as well as other international competitions.
During the announcement, officials emphasized the championship's goal of discovering and nurturing rural talent while promoting para sports across the nation, preparing athletes for success at both national and international levels.
National coaching camps will be organized to ensure focused training for athletes aiming to qualify for the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
The growth of para sports in India has been remarkable, with the country moving from a single medal at the London 2012 Paralympics to an impressive 29 medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Officials noted that para sports are advancing rapidly, with athletes determined to enhance India's standing on the global stage. This progress is attributed to the ongoing support from the Government of India and the Sports Authority of India. The long-term vision includes preparing athletes for the LA 2028 Paralympics and the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, ensuring sustained excellence internationally. The press conference was attended by various dignitaries, including B K Swain, OAS, Additional Secretary of the Sports and Youth Services Department, Odisha; Kamala Kanta Ratha, President of the Para Sports Association of Odisha; and Jayanti Behera, a Para Asian Games medalist.