Bhubaneswar: Odisha is set to host the Junior and Senior Artistic Gymnastics National Championships 2026–27, with the Odisha Gymnastics Association formally announcing the event at a press conference held in the city on Thursday.
The championships will be conducted at Kalinga Stadium from April 25 to May 3, bringing together top gymnasts from across the country. The event is being organised by the Odisha Gymnastics Association in collaboration with the Gymnastics Federation of India, with support from the state’s Sports and Youth Services Department.
Senior officials and sports administrators, including Bijay Kumar Swain, Additional Secretary of the department, and Kallol Mukherjee, Chief Operating Officer of the federation, attended the announcement and highlighted the significance of the championships in India’s gymnastics calendar.
Officials noted that performances at the Nationals will play a crucial role in selecting athletes for major international events such as the Asian Championships, Asian Games, and the Commonwealth Games. They also underlined Odisha’s growing stature as a sports hub, backed by modern infrastructure and increasing grassroots participation.
More than 600 gymnasts from 25 states, three Union Territories, and service boards are expected to compete in the event across Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG). The competition will feature team events, individual all-around contests, and apparatus finals in both junior and senior categories.
Prominent Indian gymnasts, including Pranati Nayak, Asish Kumar, and Protishta Samanta, are expected to participate alongside emerging talents, offering a strong competitive field.
Organisers said the event will be conducted on FIG-approved apparatus with the support of over 300 technical officials, including judges and coaches, ensuring adherence to international standards. Dedicated warm-up and training facilities have also been arranged for athletes.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for April 25, while the finals will conclude on April 28 for men’s events and May 3 for women’s events.
