Odisha’s iconic Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar will host the seven-nation BIMSTEC U23 Athletics Championships 2026.
The participating nations include India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has previously hosted the South Asian Athletics Championships. The last edition took place in Ranchi, Jharkhand, last year. Athletes from these South Asian nations competed alongside Pakistan.
The upcoming championship offers a valuable opportunity for India’s young athletes. Thailand’s participation will add further excitement, as the country boasts some of Asia’s top sprinters.
The AFI will select India’s squad based on performances at two competitions: the 6th Indian U23 Athletics Championships and the 41st National Junior Athletics Championships.
The 6th Indian U23 Athletics Championships took place at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur from 16 to 18 October 2026. Athletes improved four meet records on the final day.
Meanwhile, the 41st National Junior Athletics Championships are taking place at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai from 23 to 27 October 2026. The competition has already produced several national and meet records across the Under-14, Under-16, Under-18 and Under-20 age groups.
The organisers have yet to finalise the dates and competition schedule for the BIMSTEC U23 Athletics Championships.
Bhubaneswar also offers an excellent venue for the event, thanks to its newly laid track. The city hosted India’s first Bronze-level Continental Tour meet last year. This year, it also hosted a Silver-level Continental Tour meet.