Asian Athletics Championships to be inaugurated at Kalinga Stadium

The 22nd Asian Athletics Championships is all set to be inaugurated at Kalinga Stadium in Odisha capita Bhubaneswar this afternoon. Over 1,200 athletes and officials from 44 countries in Asia will witness the sporting event which will continue till July 9. 

Sports department sources said around 42 track and field events will be held in the championship and 20 world champions are likely to take part. The winners will qualify for the World Championship to be held from August 4 to August 13 in London. 

The opening ceremony will be a colourful fest spanning over 2 hours with



various cultural programmes lined up following the march-past of the athletes. Union sports minister Vijay Goel, Odisha chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union ministers, and other dignitaries are likely to attend the inaugural ceremony of the Athletics Championships. 

The administration has formed "Team Bhubaneswar", consisting of government officials, to ensure smooth conduct of the 22nd Asian Athletics Championships. India is hosting this event for the third time. 

While, Delhi had hosted the event in 1989, Pune had the opportunity to organise the tournament in 2013.