Over 80 athletes set for inaugural indoor athletics meet in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, May 1 — More than 80 athletes from across India will compete in the first-ever Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault Competition 2026, beginning Saturday in Bhubaneswar. The two-day event is being hosted under the aegis of the Athletics Federation of India in collaboration with the Odisha government and the Odisha Athletics Association.

The championship, to be held at the indoor facility of Kalinga Stadium, marks a significant step forward for Indian athletics by introducing a dedicated indoor competition format. It features a mix of elite performers and promising young athletes across multiple disciplines.

The men’s pole vault event on the opening day will see participation from 14 athletes, including key contenders Kuldeep Kumar of Madhya Pradesh and Reegan G of Tamil Nadu. Additionally, seven athletes will compete in the men’s Under-20 pole vault category.

The women’s pole vault final is scheduled for Sunday, with 11 competitors. National record holder Baranica Elangovan will headline the event, having set the current Indian record of 4.22m earlier this season.

The competition also includes combined events such as the heptathlon for men and pentathlon for women, across senior and U-20 categories, highlighting the depth of all-round athletic talent in the country.

Among the top attractions is rising pole vault star Dev Kumar Meena of Madhya Pradesh. The 20-year-old, who equalled the national record of 5.40m at an invitational meet in Taiwan earlier this year, is aiming to surpass his personal best in Bhubaneswar. He has shown consistent form this season, clearing 5.25m in multiple domestic competitions.

Expressing confidence ahead of the event, Meena said he has had productive training sessions at the Kalinga Stadium indoor facility and is ready to deliver his best performance.

The meet also serves as a crucial platform for athletes targeting qualification for major international events. As per AFI standards, the Commonwealth Games qualification mark stands at 5.25m for men and 4.45m for women in pole vault, while the Asian Games benchmarks are set at 5.45m and 4.10m respectively.

With a strong field and high stakes, the inaugural indoor championship is expected to provide a major boost to India’s athletics calendar and nurture the next generation of track and field talent.