India readies 95 competitors for inaugural regional athletics tournament
India will field a 95-member squad at the inaugural BIMSTEC U23 Athletics Championships scheduled later this month in Bhubaneswar.
Competitors from seven nations will gather at Kalinga Stadium from November 25 to 27 for this regional sports initiative.Organised jointly by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Athletics Federation of India, this event aims to build closer ties among neighboring countries. Participants include athletes from Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and the host nation.
Selection for the Indian team relied on recent performances at two major domestic meets, specifically the U23 and Junior national championships. Men and women will compete across 14 individual events each, along with team relay races.
Bhubaneswar continues to establish itself as a prominent sports hub on the global stage. Sporting a newly upgraded track, Kalinga Stadium previously hosted both Bronze and Silver-level Continental Tour events over the last two years. While this upcoming regional tournament sits outside the official World Athletics calendar, it provides essential international exposure for young track and field competitors.