Bhubaneswar: With opening ceremony of 22nd Asian Athletics Championship scheduled to be held on July 5 at Kalinga Stadium here, all government offices in the capital city will observe a half-day holiday in view of it.
As per a notification of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, all government offices located in Bhubaneswar will be closed by 1.30 pm on Wednesday.
The half day for government offices will help keep traffic clear for commuters along the route and they will not face inconvenience due to movement of police escort, buses and vehicles of athletes and delegates, the notification said.
The events will be organised from July 6 to 9 at Kalinga Stadium here after its inauguration on July 5. More than 700 athletes from around 45 countries will participate in 42 events, 21 for men and 21 for women.
This is for the third time that the Asian Athletics Championship will be held in India, after New Delhi (1989) and Pune (2013).
The winners of the Asian meet will get a direct berth for the World Championship in London from August 4 to 13.
Five athletes from Odisha have found place in the 95-member Indian contingent. They are Dutee Chand, Srabani Nanda, Amiya Mallick, Purnima Hembram and Jauna Murmu.
While Amiya, Srabani and Dutee will be competing in 100 m, 200 m and 4X100 metres relay events, Jauna will compete in 400 m hurdles and Purnima will compete in heptathlon event.