The world athletic continental tour will be hosted for the first time in India. The KALINGA BHUBANESWAR stadium is ready to organize a one -day competition on August 10, Sunday. The prestigious bronze event, just below the Diamond League, will host 160 athletes of competitions in 19 events.
Of the 160 athletes, 97 are from India, while the remaining 63 come from abroad. The competition is attended by athletes from 17 countries. The men’s spear is ready to steal the show, with the participation of two of the brightest Indian talents, Sachin Yadav and Yashvir Singh. Sprint events are also set to be in the center of attention, with the fastest Indian man Animesh Kujur in the event of 100 mA 200 m.
“This is the first event of a continental tour in the country and we hope for a successful competition that the world knows that we can host this event,” said Athletics Federation of India (AFI) Bahadur Singh Sagoo at a press conference in Delhi.
What is a continental tour?
Athletics is the world’s athletic continental tour of the annual series of track and field meetings, which serves as the second level of international one -day competition after Diamond League. It provides athletes a structured journey to compete, earn money for wins and accumulate world rating points.
The tour is categorized to the level of gold, silver and bronze, each level offering different levels of competition and winning money.
The Indian foot will have a combined win of $ 25,000 (approximately Rs of 21,89 lakh).
Star attractions on a continental tour
The Indian leg is expected that the male javelin event will be the best draw. Although the competition lacks twice the Olympic medalist Neera Chopra, Sachin Yadav and Yashvir Singh will be headed by India challenges. Sri Lankans Sumeda Ranaryinghe and Rumesh Tharang Pathirage will also have their chances.
Special emphasis will be on Young Pathirage, who recently won the bronze medal in Neera Chopra Classic and overcame similar Sachin Yadav and Thomas Rhler.
Country participating in continental tour
India, of course, has the largest number of athletes in the tournament (97). Nepal sent 13 athletes, followed by Sri Lanka (10) and Malaysia (9). South Africa and Great Britain sent every four athletes.
“It is mandatory to include one throw and one jumping. Competition should have at least 12 disciplines, including five female events. Some events could not be included as the duration of a one -day continental tour, according to WA instructions, two hours and 30 minutes,” Sagoo said in Delhi on August.
Indian Continental Tour Organizers
The competition is organized by the Odisha government together with AFI, which deals with technical aspects. The ODISH government manages the financing and hospitality for athletes and officials.
“Odisha organized the main championship, including Asian athletics championships in 2017 and the World Hockey Championship (2018 and 2023). So we are sure that we organize such international events,” he said he participates in sports and officials.
Afi officials hope for a successful hosting of the event so that they can offer a continental tour on silver or golden level next year.
The best Indian stars in the competition
In addition to the men’s spear, there are other events that will witness close competition, include men and female 400 meters and a female long jump. Men’s 100m dash can also see sparks, while the National Animesh Kujur record (10.18 seconds) rises against Malaysian Muhammad Azeem Fahmi, who operated a wind in May 10.01 seconds and legal 10.20 seconds in May.
With a long women’s jump, Shaili Singh (the best season 6.64 m) and Ancy Soyan (6.54 m) will be against Alice Hopkins from the UK and Northern Ireland, which has the best season of 6.59 m.
South African Africa Shirley Neshubui, which is part of their bronze winning 4x400m relay team, will compete in an individual 400 meters with the best 51.28 seconds of the season. Aishwarya Misra (SB: 51,12 seconds) and Vithya Ramraj (SB: 52,81 seconds) will lead the Indian challenge.
The 400m events of men will present top Indians such as Vishal TK, Rajesh Ramesh, Jay Kumar and Amoj Jacob, and in May, Lanka won bronze at Asian championships in May.
Among the best Indians in The Fray is Long Jumper Murali Sreeshankar, who won three direct titles after the 800m Mohammed Afsal National Record holder. Gulveer Singh, the National Record holder in 5000 meters and 10,000 meters, skips the event when they compete abroad.
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Published:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
August 7, 2025
