Bhubaneswar, August 2026: Odisha is set to achieve another major milestone on the global sports map by hosting the prestigious World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Meet on August 22, 2026, at the iconic Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
The one-day event is being jointly organized by the Sports and Youth Services Department (Government of Odisha), the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), and World Athletics. Upgraded to Silver status following last year's successful Bronze-level event, this meet serves as a major preparatory step toward the World Athletics Indoor Championships and the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, both scheduled to take place at Kalinga Stadium in 2028. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Odisha continues to drive Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of transforming India into a global sports hub.
The competition will feature 187 elite athletes from 27 countries, including 143 top performers from 12 Asian nations. Local fans will witness intense competition on home soil between 88 Indian and 99 international athletes. Prominent foreign contingents include 24 athletes from Sri Lanka, 17 from South Africa, and 11 from Brazil.
The meet includes 18 events split equally between men and women. Men will compete in the 100m, 400m, 800m, 110m hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot put, and javelin throw, while women will participate in the 100m, 400m, 1500m, 100m hurdles, high jump, long jump, javelin throw, and discus throw.
Top performers will earn World Ranking points alongside cash prizes of $1,600 for first place, $1,200 for second place, and $900 for third place. Odisha's participating athletes announced at the press conference include Animesh Kujur (100m), Swadhin Kumar Majhi (High Jump), Kishore Jena (Javelin), Bapi Hansda (400m), Srabani Nanda (100m), and Pragyan Prasanti Sahoo (100m).
Speaking at the press conference, Minister for Sports and Youth Services Shri Suryabanshi Suraj expressed enthusiasm for hosting a Silver-level event following last year's Bronze event, noting that the prize money reflects the tournament's growing stature. He highlighted that state athletes are being provided opportunities to rank within the top 6–8 globally under World Athletics rules, enabling wider participation for athletes from Odisha and India. A welcome banquet hosted by the Honorable Governor has been arranged for the athletes, and the Chief Minister will grace the event on competition day.
AFI Chairman Dr. Lalit Kumar Bhanot noted that the event offers a unique platform with two finals and enhanced opportunities for Indian athletes. He highlighted that Kalinga Stadium houses India's only indoor track and confirmed that 50 percent foreign participation compliance has been met, featuring athletes from Glasgow and competitors ranked within the global top 50.
Athletes participating in the tournament also shared their perspectives. Indian long jumper M. Sreeshankar (World Rank 15) called Kalinga Stadium his favorite venue due to personal best records achieved here, describing the meet as a key pit-stop ahead of major upcoming events, while fellow Indian long jumper Ancy Sojan Edappilly (World Rank 41) highlighted the event as a vital training milestone ahead of the Asian Games. Brazilian 100m hurdler Vitoria Alves (World Rank 22) praised the track conditions as ideal preparation for the upcoming South American Games, and Nigerian shot putter Chukwuebuka Enekwechi (World Rank 9) commended the local training facilities on his first visit to India, expressing his commitment to delivering a top performance despite the warm weather.
Kalinga Stadium management is fully prepared to host the grand event on August 22. The press conference was also attended by Sports Director Dr. Yeddula Vijay, AFI Treasurer Shri B. Stanley Jones, and AFI Executive Secretary Shri G. Srinibas Pattnaik.
Avinash Sagar
