Odisha reaffirmed its status as India’s athletics hub by hosting the 65th National Inter State Senior Athletics Championships 2026 at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. Across five intense days of competition from 24–28 June, top athletes from across the country fought for national glory and qualification spots for the 20th Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya, Japan.
The Odisha Athletics Association, in partnership with Sports Odisha, AFI and RF Youth Sports, delivered a high-performance environment that helped Indian athletes secure their Asian Games berths. The association’s communication highlighted “INDIAN ATHLETICS QUALIFIED for 20th Asian Games 2026, Nagoya, Japan”, underlining the meet’s importance in India’s international calendar. For Odisha, the championships were more than a major event; they showcased the state’s capability in hosting high-quality competitions, managing operations, and preserving every milestone and historic moment through strong media coverage. The atmosphere inside Kalinga Stadium and the seamless execution of events have set a benchmark for future national and international athletics meets in the state
