Inaugural National Indoor C’ships Begin in Bhubaneswar with 300 Athletes Eyeing Asian Games

The inaugural National Indoor Championships will begin on Tuesday at the state-of-the-art indoor facility at Kalinga Stadium , bringing together around 300 top athletes from across India. Major contingents are coming from Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra , each sending about 30 participants.

Among the notable athletes, sprinter Animesh Kujur , who holds the national records in 100m and 200m outdoor events , is making his indoor debut in the 60m race . The 22-year-old, who also competed in the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo , described the event as an opportunity to gauge his form ahead of the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games later this year. “This is going to be my first indoor competition, and the 60m race is all about explosiveness . I want to understand my current level and areas for improvement,” Kujur said. He is set to open his outdoor season with the Indian Athletics Series 3 in New Delhi on April 11.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will feature the mascot Finnie , a friendly unicorn symbolising fun and local pride, while the Games’ theme celebrates Scottish culture and unity . Meanwhile, the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya will showcase the mascot Honohon , inspired by fire, passion, and the mythical Shachihoko , reflecting the Games’ motto “Imagine One Asia” and the spirit of athletic excellence. These mascots and themes aim to capture the energy, culture, and enthusiasm of the respective events, providing a vibrant backdrop as athletes like Kujur prepare for these key competitions.

Praveen Chithravel , representing Tamil Nadu in long jump, is the most experienced participant in indoor competitions. He previously won a triple jump silver medal at the 2023 Asian Indoor Championships in Kazakhstan and also competed in the 2024 World Indoor Championships in Glasgow . Chithravel highlighted that indoor competitions offer consistent performance conditions , unlike outdoor events where wind and weather can affect results.

High jumper Sarvesh Kushare , a 2025 World Championships finalist training at the Army Sports Institute in Pune , is also participating and looking forward to the indoor experience.

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) sees this maiden championship as a step toward strengthening India’s profile in indoor athletics . AFI president Bahadur Singh Sagoo noted, “We performed well at the Asian Indoor Championships in China in February, and now, with our first national indoor event, we hope to further improve performance in these competitions.”

Sagoo also mentioned the upcoming National Relay Championships in Chandigarh on March 28, which will serve as a qualifier for the World Relays in Botswana (May 2–3) . To meet qualification requirements, the AFI plans to invite at least 3–4 foreign teams to the event.

The National Indoor Championships is expected to provide Indian athletes with valuable exposure to indoor tracks , a controlled environment with banked turns, narrower lanes, and no weather interruptions , helping them prepare effectively for upcoming international competitions.