India is set to make sports history as Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium will host the country’s first-ever National Indoor Athletics Championships in January 2026. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) announced this landmark initiative to expand India’s athletics ecosystem and align domestic competitions with international standards.
Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium to Host India’s First Indoor Athletics Championship in January 2026
India’s First Indoor Athletics Event
According to AFI President Bahadur Singh Sagoo, the 2026 season will officially introduce indoor athletics in India. The championship will include key events like the pole vault and men’s indoor heptathlon, marking a new era in Indian athletics. Bhubaneswar’s state-of-the-art indoor facility at Kalinga Stadium will host the event, making it a milestone for Indian sports infrastructure.
Heptathlon and Pole Vault Details
The men’s indoor heptathlon will be a two-day event featuring seven disciplines:
- 60m sprint
- Long jump
- Shot put
- High jump
- 60m hurdles
- Pole vault
- 1,000m run
AFI’s inclusion of these multi-event competitions aims to prepare Indian athletes for future global events like the 2028 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, for which India has already placed a bid.
AFI’s 2026 Domestic Calendar Expansion
The 2026 domestic athletics calendar will include nearly 40 events nationwide, strengthening India’s athletics ecosystem. These regional and national meets are designed to boost athlete participation, enhance competitive experience, and support India’s preparations for major international events such as the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
Developing Regional Infrastructure
To promote balanced growth, AFI plans to increase regional competitions across South and North Zones. More than 15 venues, including the Anju Bobby Sports Foundation in Bengaluru, have been shortlisted. This initiative will help reduce travel challenges for athletes and create local opportunities for training and performance.
The introduction of indoor championships marks a transformative step toward modernising Indian athletics and nurturing world-class sporting talent.
Exam-Oriented Notes
- Event Name: National Indoor Athletics Championships (First Edition)
- Date: January 2026
- Venue: Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Organised by: Athletics Federation of India (AFI)
- Main Events: Pole Vault, Men’s Indoor Heptathlon (7 disciplines)
- AFI’s 2026 Calendar: Nearly 40 national and regional athletics events planned
- Aim: To prepare athletes for global indoor events and promote modern infrastructure
Question & Answer
Q1. Where will India’s first National Indoor Athletics Championships be held?
(a) New Delhi
(b) Bengaluru
(c) Bhubaneswar
(d) Mumbai
Answer: Bhubaneswar
Q2. When is the first National Indoor Athletics Championships scheduled?
(a) January 2025
(b) January 2026
(c) March 2026
(d) December 2025
Answer: January 2026
Q3. Who is the President of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI)?
(a) Neeraj Chopra
(b) Bahadur Singh Sagoo
(c) Adille Sumariwalla
(d) P. T. Usha
Answer: Bahadur Singh Sagoo
Q4. How many disciplines are included in the men’s indoor heptathlon?
(a) Five
(b) Six
(c) Seven
(d) Eight
Answer: Seven
Q5. How many athletics events are planned in AFI’s 2026 domestic calendar?
(a) 25
(b) 30
(c) 35
(d) 40
Answer: 40
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