Bhubaneswar: The sporting capital of Odisha is gearing up once again to welcome young athletic talent from across the country as the 40th National Junior Athletics Championship is set to be held at the iconic Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, from October 10 to 14, 2025.
The championship is being jointly organized by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), the Odisha Athletics Association, and the Sports and Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha. Around 2,000 athletes from various states will participate in this national-level event, making it one of the largest gatherings of budding athletes in India.
From Odisha, 75 athletes — comprising 38 male and 37 female participants — will represent the state across multiple categories. The highest contingent, 147 athletes, will come from Haryana, officials confirmed at a press conference held today.
Speaking on the occasion, Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Sports and Youth Services Department, said, “The 40th National Junior Athletics Championship will be held from October 10 to 14. Alongside this, the 28th Asian Table Tennis Teams Championship will also take place at Kalinga Stadium from October 11 to 15. Hosting both national and international sporting events simultaneously is a matter of great pride for Odisha. I am confident that all athletes will deliver remarkable performances and bring laurels through their achievements.”
Highlighting Odisha’s growing reputation as a premier sports destination, Jadhav noted that the state had recently hosted the World Continental Tour in August this year. “With the successful conduct of multiple national and international tournaments, Odisha has carved a distinct identity in the global sports arena,” he added.
Echoing his sentiments, Adille Sumariwalla, President of the Athletics Federation of India, said,“Odisha has emerged as a leading hub for sports in India. We are confident that the 40th National Junior Athletics Championship will be conducted successfully and set new benchmarks of excellence.”
As Bhubaneswar prepares to host yet another major sporting event, the Kalinga Stadium is once again poised to showcase India’s rising athletic talent — and reaffirm Odisha’s position as the sports hub of the nation.