Odisha to Host World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Meet at Kalinga Stadium on 22th August

Odisha to Host World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Meet at Kalinga Stadium on 22th August

Odisha is set to host the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Meet at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar on 22 August, 2026, marking a major milestone in the state's growing international athletics profile.

Organised by the Odisha Sports and Youth Services Department in collaboration with the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and under the aegis of World Athletics, the one-day meet has been upgraded from the Bronze-level event held last year.

The championship is also expected to serve as an important precursor to the World Athletics Indoor Championships and Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, which Odisha is scheduled to host at Kalinga Stadium in 2028.

187 Athletes from 27 Countries to Compete

The event will feature 187 elite athletes from 27 countries, including 143 athletes from 12 Asian nations. India will field 88 athletes, who will compete against 99 international competitors.

Among the major international contingents are Sri Lanka with 24 athletes, South Africa with 17, and Brazil with 11 athletes.

The competition will feature 36 athletes ranked among the world's top 50 in their respective events.

Among the headline names is Muzala Samukonga of Zambia, the world No. 6 in the men's 400m and a bronze medallist at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He enters the competition with a season-best time of 44.02 seconds.

Nigeria's Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, ranked world No. 10 in shot put, will also compete. The Commonwealth Games champion and Paris Olympics finalist is among the leading international names in the field.

18 Events Across Men’s and Women’s Categories

The meet will feature 18 events, with nine disciplines each for men and women.

Men’s events: 100m, 400m, 800m, 110m hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot put, and javelin throw.

Women’s events: 100m, 400m, 1500m, 100m hurdles, high jump, long jump, javelin throw, and discus throw.

Besides prize money, athletes will compete for valuable World Athletics ranking points. Winners will receive $1,600, while second- and third-place finishers will receive $1,200 and $900, respectively.

Free Entry for Spectators

Speaking at a pre-event press conference in Bhubaneswar, Dr. Vijay Yeddula, Director of Sports, Government of Odisha, described the upgrade to a Silver-level Continental Tour meet as a major achievement for the state.

He said the event would further strengthen Odisha's position as a leading athletics hub in India. To encourage young people and give families an opportunity to watch international-level athletics, entry to Kalinga Stadium will be free for spectators.

Dr. Adille Sumariwalla, Vice President of World Athletics and AFI spokesperson, thanked the Odisha government for upgrading the event from Bronze to Silver level. He noted that the presence of 36 top-50 athletes would make the competition highly competitive and provide athletes with valuable preparation ahead of their next major assignment in Japan.

Ashok Kumar Panda, Special Secretary, Department of Sports and Youth Services, and B.E. Stanley, Treasurer, Athletics Federation of India, were also present at the press conference.

The Silver-level meet is expected to further strengthen Odisha's reputation as a destination for major international sporting events and provide Indian athletes with an opportunity to compete against some of the world's best on home soil.