24th National Para Athletics Championship Kicks Off in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: The 24th National Para Athletics Championship 2026 commenced on Wednesday at the Kalinga Stadium, bringing together top para-athletes from across the country in a celebration of inclusive sports and athletic excellence.

Organised by the Department of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Odisha in collaboration with the Paralympic Committee of India and the Para Sports Association of Odisha, the championship will continue till March 21, 2026.

The event was inaugurated by Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, who attended as the Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, he emphasised Odisha’s commitment to inclusive sports, stating that all upcoming sports infrastructure in the state is being designed to be Divyang-friendly. He also noted that such events reflect India’s growing stature as a global sporting power aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

The championship has drawn participation from around 1,460 para-athletes representing 28 states, along with teams from the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB). A total of 145 medal events will be conducted during the four-day competition.

Host state Odisha has fielded a 40-member contingent, showcasing its emerging strength in para sports. Competitions are being held daily in two sessions—from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Speaking on the occasion, Babu Singh, MLA (Ekamra-Bhubaneswar), said the country’s para-athletes are a source of pride and expressed confidence that participants would carry back memorable experiences of Odisha’s hospitality.

Devendra Jhajharia, President of the Paralympic Committee of India and a renowned Paralympian, described the event as the largest championship to date, highlighting the rapid progress of para sports in India following recent international successes.

The inauguration ceremony was also attended by senior officials, including Ashok Kumar Panda and Bijay Kumar Swain, Additional Secretaries of the department, along with Paralympian Markanda Reddy and other dignitaries.

Officials said the championship will serve as a major platform to promote inclusivity in sports while identifying and nurturing talent for future national and international competitions.