Bhubaneswar, Nov 4 (UDN): Bhubaneswar is gearing up to welcome some of the finest emerging athletic talents from South and Southeast Asia as the inaugural BIMSTEC U23 Athletics Championships gets underway at Kalinga Stadium from November 25 to 27.
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India has selected a 95-member contingent for the three-day international competition, which will bring together young athletes from seven BIMSTEC member countries. The participating nations include India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
The championship is being jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Athletics Federation of India, reflecting a broader effort to strengthen regional cooperation through sports and provide an international platform for promising young athletes.
95 Indian athletes to compete
The Indian contingent has been selected based on performances in two major domestic competitions — the National U23 Athletics Championships and the Junior National Championships.
Both men and women will compete in 14 individual events each, alongside relay competitions, offering participants opportunities to demonstrate their abilities across a wide range of track and field disciplines.
The championship is expected to provide valuable international exposure to emerging athletes as they look to establish themselves at the senior national and international levels.
Kalinga Stadium adds another international event
The hosting of the BIMSTEC U23 Championships further strengthens Bhubaneswar’s growing reputation as a major destination for international sporting events.
Kalinga Stadium, one of India’s prominent athletics venues, has previously hosted Bronze and Silver-level World Athletics Continental Tour competitions over the past two years. Its upgraded track and established sporting infrastructure make it a suitable venue for the regional championship.
Although the upcoming competition is not part of the official World Athletics calendar, it is expected to offer an important competitive platform for young athletes from participating countries.
Sports diplomacy gets a regional boost
Beyond the sporting contests, the inaugural championship is also expected to strengthen people-to-people connections among BIMSTEC nations.
By bringing together young competitors from seven countries, the event seeks to promote friendship, sporting excellence and regional engagement through athletics.
With India’s 95-member squad preparing for the home competition, all eyes will be on Kalinga Stadium from November 25 as Bhubaneswar once again takes centre stage in international athletics.