The National Indoor Athletics Championships, scheduled to start Tuesday at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, will herald a new beginning in Indian athletics, says Athletics Federation of India (AFI) president Bahadur Singh Sagoo. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cCompetitors are excited to add a new chapter to their athletics profile,\u201d the AFI president told the media during an interactive session on Monday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The first edition of the National Indoor Championships, which has attracted 278 entries including 97 female athletes, will certainly act as a catalyst for upcoming competitions, says Sagoo.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe two-day indoor competition, which has attracted young and experienced athletes, will be a good platform to test skills over the 200m indoor track,\u201d the AFI president added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Odisha\u2019s rising international sprinter, Animesh Kujur, is all set to test his explosive strength over the 60m dash, saying he is looking ahead to a good start to the 2026 competitive season. \u201cI\u2019m excited to compete in my first indoor competition, that too on my home ground,\u201d says the 100m\/200m national outdoor record holder.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India\u2019s national outdoor record holder in men\u2019s triple jump, Praveen Chithravel, is the most experienced of all, as he has competed in several indoor competitions in Europe and Asia. The Tamil Nadu international jumper will compete in Bhubaneswar in the men\u2019s long jump. \u201cThe atmosphere during indoor competitions is electrifying,\u201d says Chithravel. \u201cThe compact Indoor track arena allows athletes more opportunities to connect with the fans and, at the same time, boost self-confidence.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Odisha\u2019s rising international sprinter, Animesh Kujur, is all set to test his explosive strength over the 60m dash, saying he is looking ahead to a good start to the 2026 competitive season. \u201cI\u2019m excited to compete in my first indoor competition, that too on my home ground,\u201d says the 100m\/200m national outdoor record holder.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The first medal event of the opening day on Tuesday will be the men's 3,000m track race. The competition will be conducted in both senior and U20 age groups. The competition concludes on Wednesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n