Saswat Singhdeo

Bhubaneswar: The 58th National Open Athletics Championships was kicked off at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar today with around 805 athletes from across the country taking part in the sporting extravaganza.

The four-day event from September 25th to 28th is being organised by Odisha Government’s Sports & Youth Services Department.

According to sources, while qualifying rounds will be held between 7 am to 10 AM every day, medal events will take place from 6 PM to 10 PM in the evening.

A 15-member team including international athletes Purnima Hembram, Jauna Murmu, Amiya Mallick and Parbati Sethi are representing Odisha in the event.

Indian athletes including Asian games gold medalist in triple jump Amrinder Singh, P Chitra and Leena Pramukh who won medals at the recently held Asian Games 2018 are also taking part in the event.

However, notable athletes like javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and sprinters Hima Das and Dutee Chand will not be participating in the meet.

In good news for Odisha sports lovers, Amiya Mallick made it to the semifinals of the men's 100 meters sprint event today.

AFI secretary, CK Valson informed that "Athletes with outstanding performance at this championship will be selected for the training camp for the Asian Championship to be held in Doha in the month of April next year and for the World Championship scheduled in October 2019."

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