Odisha to host Asian Athletics Championship in July

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is going to host the Asian Athletics Championship to be held at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on the first week of July. After inspecting the facilities and infrastructure, President of Athletics Federation of India (AFI), Adille J Sumariwalla termed Kalinga Stadium as one of the best venues in country.

The mega sports event of athletics, Asian Athletics Championship, will be held for the first time in Kalinga Stadium. While the event was expected to be held between July 1 to 4, AFI President Sumariwalla gave green signal to it yesterday. Athletes of 45 countries are going to participate in the championship.

Talking to media persons Sumariwalla said, "I think it is one of the best locations in the whole country so I am very happy. All it needs to do a little cleaning up and a little work and we are ready to go." Adding that the championship will be held on first of July, he said, "The infrastructure is all there, it just needs to be cleaned up."

The championship will be organised by the Odisha Government. Works Department Secretary Nalinikanta Pradhan, IDCO CMD Sanjay Kumar Singh and Sports Department Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev apprised Sumariwalla about the infrastructure of the stadium yesterday. The process of laying the synthetic track and warm up track in the stadium has started. Adding to this various rooms of the stadium and gallery will also be renovated and flood lights will be installed.

Sports Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev, briefing media persons said, "Such a huge event will be held in which 45 countries are participating, so it becomes an important decision whether it can be done because the items will be imported from Australia, Dubai and America and it is a matter of concern that they will be available on time or not. We are prepared and we are eager to host the event."