The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) announced on November 11 that the first edition of the National Indoor Athletics Championship will be held in January in Bhubaneswar. This competition will take place at the Kalinga Stadium complex, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.
Sports News: The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has made a major announcement regarding the National Indoor Athletics Championship 2026, scheduled for next year. This prestigious national competition will be held for the first time in January 2026 in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha. This event, taking place at the Kalinga Stadium complex which boasts state-of-the-art sports facilities, is considered to mark the beginning of a new era for indoor athletics in India.
Although the exact dates for the event have not yet been announced, the AFI states that preparations are in full swing and this championship will prove to be a “milestone” in India's athletics history.
Kalinga Stadium to Become a State-of-the-Art Indoor Center
Bahadur Singh Sagoo, President of the Athletics Federation of India, stated that this decision was previously proposed and has now been officially incorporated into the 2026 domestic calendar. He said, “Our aim is to strengthen the culture of indoor athletics in India. This step is a strategic initiative towards securing the hosting rights for the 2028 Asian Indoor Championships.”
According to the AFI, with this event, India will join the select few Asian countries capable of hosting international-level indoor competitions. Bhubaneswar's Kalinga Stadium is already considered among the country's top multi-purpose sports complexes. It has successfully hosted several international tournaments, including the Hockey World Cups in 2018 and 2023.
Now, this very complex will become the hub for India's first National Indoor Athletics Championship. In this competition, various track and field events will be organized within the indoor facilities. This step will be crucial in providing Indian athletes with world-class training and competitive experience.
Men's Indoor Heptathlon to be a Major Highlight
Bahadur Singh Sagoo informed that the Men's Indoor Heptathlon will span two days and include seven major events—
- 60-meter sprint
- Long jump
- Shot put
- High jump
- 60-meter hurdles
- Pole vault
- 1,000-meter race
Four events will be held on the first day, while the remaining three events will take place on the second day. This format has been prepared in accordance with the standards of World Athletics. Sagoo further stated that the AFI also plans to organize special indoor competitions like pole vault (men's and women's) and heptathlon in the future, to provide athletes with more opportunities for training and competition throughout the year.
2026 Athletics Calendar to Be the Busiest Ever
The AFI has announced that the 2026 domestic calendar will be the busiest season yet. It will include approximately 40 national and regional competitions. The AFI chief said, “Our aim is to strengthen the domestic sports ecosystem. The regional competitions introduced in 2025 received an excellent response from athletes, and we are now going to increase the number of these competitions.”
The large participation of young athletes in regional meets held in South and North India has helped the AFI identify talent across the country and bring them to the national level.
