Bhubaneswar to Host 24th National Para Athletics Championship 2026

Bhubaneswar: The 24th National Para Athletics Championship 2026 is set to be held at the Kalinga Stadium from March 18 to 21, bringing together top para-athletes from across the country in a celebration of inclusive sports and competitive excellence.

The championship is being organised by the Paralympic Committee of India in collaboration with the Sports & Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha and the Para Sports Association of Odisha. The event reflects Odisha’s continued efforts to promote an inclusive sporting ecosystem.

The opening ceremony will be held at 4 pm on March 18 and will be inaugurated by Suryabanshi Suraj, Minister for Sports and Youth Services.

According to Satyanarayana, Chairman of Para Athletics, PCI, the championship will witness 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). Competitions will be conducted in both morning and evening sessions.

Host state Odisha will field a 40-member contingent, led by F55 javelin throw national record holder Suchitra Parida. Meanwhile, Haryana, the defending champion from the previous edition held in Chennai, is expected to send the largest team.

The championship will feature several top athletes, including celebrated Paralympians such as Mariyappan Thangavelu, Sumit Antil, Navdeep Singh and Praveen Kumar, along with other medal winners from the Asian Games and World Championships. Their participation is expected to raise the competitive level of the event.

The Government of Odisha has extended full logistical and financial support to ensure smooth conduct of the championship. The event will serve as a key platform for elite and emerging athletes, and will also aid in the selection of probable participants for upcoming international events, including the Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Officials said the championship will also focus on identifying talent from rural areas and strengthening grassroots participation in para sports. National coaching camps are planned for athletes preparing for major international competitions.

Highlighting the growth of para sports in India, Satyanarayana noted that the country’s performance has improved significantly—from a single medal at the London 2012 Paralympics to an impressive 29 medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. He added that the long-term vision is to prepare athletes for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics and the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad.

The organisers have also urged media organisations to actively cover the championship to raise awareness and inspire persons with disabilities to take up sports, promoting confidence, independence and empowerment.