Bhubaneswar will host a one-day World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meet at Kalinga Stadium on 22 August, the Odisha Sports and Youth Services Department said, marking an upgrade from the Bronze-level meeting organised at the same venue last year. The meet is being staged in collaboration with the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and under the aegis of World Athletics.
International field and event schedule
Organisers said the competition will assemble 187 elite athletes representing 27 countries, including 143 competitors from 12 Asian nations. India plans to enter 88 athletes, who will take on 99 international rivals. Major overseas contingents named by organisers include Sri Lanka (24 athletes), South Africa (17) and Brazil (11). The field also contains 36 athletes ranked among the world's top 50 in their events.
The meet will stage 18 events — nine each for men and women — across sprints, middle distances and selected field disciplines. The programme listed by organisers includes the following:
- Men: 100m, 400m, 800m, 110m hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot put, javelin throw.
- Women: 100m, 400m, 1500m, 100m hurdles, high jump, long jump, javelin throw, discus throw.
Prominent names and ranking points
Among the headline international athletes expected is Muzala Samukonga of Zambia, listed as world No. 6 in the men's 400m and a bronze medallist at the Paris 2024 Olympics; organisers note his season-best of 44.02 seconds. Nigeria's Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, ranked world No. 10 in shot put and a Commonwealth Games gold medallist as well as a Paris Olympics finalist, is another leading name on the entry list.
Athletes will be competing not only for prize money but also for valuable World Athletics ranking points, which influence entry standards for major global championships and Olympic qualification paths.
Prize money and spectator access
The meet will offer prize money for the podium finishers in each event: winners will receive $1,600, with second and third place earning $1,200 and $900 respectively, organisers said. Spectators have been told that entry will be free, providing an opportunity for local athletics fans to see international competition at close quarters.
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total athletes | 187 |
| Participating countries | 27 |
| Athletes from Asia | 143 (from 12 nations) |
| Indian athletes | 88 |
Context: build-up to 2028 championships
Officials describe the Silver-level meet as an important precursor to two major indoor championships that Odisha is scheduled to host at Kalinga Stadium in 2028 — the World Athletics Indoor Championships and the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships. Hosting higher-tier continental and world meets forms part of the state's continuing efforts to position Bhubaneswar as an athletics hub and to test venues, logistics and crowd management ahead of larger events.
Local authorities and stadium management are expected to use the event to fine-tune operational protocols, athlete services and spectator facilities. The competition also provides Indian athletes with an opportunity to gain international experience and ranking points on home soil.
What spectators and athletes should note
- Entry to the meet will be free for spectators; organisers have not announced reserved seating or ticketing for premium areas — spectators should check official communications closer to the date.
- Athletes will earn World Athletics ranking points and monetary prizes as listed.
- Support staff, team managers and visiting contingents should confirm accreditation and logistics with AFI and the state sports department.
Further operational details and the final start lists are likely to be released by the Athletics Federation of India and the Odisha Sports and Youth Services Department in the weeks leading up to 22 August.
Reporting note: Organisers provided the entry figures and prize structure for the meet. The event organisers and AFI will issue the final timetable and accreditation instructions ahead of the competition.
