The competition will also act as a qualifying event for next month\u2019s Asian U20 Athletics Championships to be held in Hong Kong.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has already announced the qualification standards for the Asian U20 meet. The three-day age group competition in Karnataka will see several promising junior athletes achieve their goal to wear the Indian jersey. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
The first medal event on Friday will be 5,000m track races in both men's and women\u2019s sections.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The opening day will also witness Jharkhand\u2019s promising sprinter Parth Singh testing his prowess against his rivals, including Partik Maharana of Odisha. Jharkhand\u2019s sprinter had a good 2025 season and will be looking ahead on Friday to dominate the men\u2019s 100m dash.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Karnataka competition will be a good platform for Odisha\u2019s international 400m runner Bapi Hansda, who is making a comeback after a long hiatus due to an injury sustained during the 2025 National Games in Uttarakhand.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kerala\u2019s rising quarter-miler Mohammed Ashfaq has also confirmed his entry. Ashfaq will also be looking forward to cementing his place in the national team for the Asian U20 Athletics meet in Hong Kong.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
As many as 79 athletes are in the fray in the men\u2019s 100m. Going by the entries, 93 competitors will contest the top three places in the men\u2019s 200m. The quarter-mile will see 89 male athletes vying for top honours.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kerala\u2019s rising quarter-miler Mohammed Ashfaq has also confirmed his entry. Ashfaq will also be looking forward to cementing his place in the national team for the Asian U20 Athletics meet in Hong Kong.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Medals will also be decided in women\u2019s pole vault and discus throw on day one.<\/p>\r\n\r\n