Bhubaneswar is all set to make sporting history this Sunday as the Kalinga Stadium hosts India’s first-ever World Athletics global meet, the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze event. Organised in collaboration with World Athletics and the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), this one-day international athletics competition will see 160 elite athletes from 17 countries competing for glory.

The event will showcase Odisha’s world-class sports infrastructure and reinforce the state’s growing reputation as India’s premier sports hub. Athletes from Britain, Portugal, Australia, South Africa, Iraq, Iran, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Algeria, Turkmenistan, and several other nations, along with hosts India, will compete in various track and field events.

A strong 90-member Indian contingent will participate, with many aiming to secure crucial ranking points for qualification to the World Athletics Championships. Among the biggest attractions for fans will be Odisha’s star sprinter Animesh Kujur, who has captured national attention for his Usain Bolt-like victory celebrations and record-breaking performances. Just last month, Kujur rewrote the national record at an event in Greece, clocking 10.18 seconds in the men’s 100m to become the first Indian to break the 10.20-second barrier. He also holds the national record in the 200m sprint.

In the days leading up to the event, both Indian and international athletes have been training intensively at the Kalinga Stadium athletics facility. The venue, known for hosting major sporting events such as the Hockey World Cup and Asian Athletics Championships, has undergone final touch-ups to ensure a world-class experience for athletes and spectators.On Saturday, the AFI and the Odisha Department of Sports & Youth Services held a joint coordination meeting to fine-tune preparations, address operational requirements, and ensure smooth event execution.Odisha Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj expressed pride in hosting the prestigious event, stating:“Hosting the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze in Odisha for the first time is a moment of immense pride. We are fully prepared to organise it successfully and deliver a world-class experience for athletes and spectators alike.”

Although Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra will not be competing in Bhubaneswar, as he has already qualified for the World Championships, he has sent his best wishes to all participants and encouraged sports lovers to attend and cheer for the athletes.The World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze Bhubaneswar 2025 promises not only high-voltage competition but also a historic milestone for India’s athletics scene, as the Kalinga Stadium becomes the stage for global champions and rising stars to battle for glory on Super Sunday.