Bhubaneswar to Host Inaugural Indoor Combined Events Competition
Bhubaneswar is set to host the first-ever Indian Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault Competition this weekend at the Indoor Stadium, marking a significant step in India’s indoor athletics calendar. The two-day event begins on Saturday under the aegis of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), in coordination with the Government of Odisha and the Odisha Athletics Association.
More than 80 athletes from across the country will participate in various disciplines, including pole vault, heptathlon, and pentathlon across senior and U20 categories.
Dev Kumar Meena Eyes Personal Best
Madhya Pradesh’s rising star and national record holder Dev Kumar Meena will be one of the key attractions of the meet. The 20-year-old athlete has set a clear target of achieving his personal best in Bhubaneswar.
“My goal here in Bhubaneswar is to do my personal best,” Meena said ahead of the competition. He has been in strong form this season, equalling his national record of 5.40m during an invitational event in Taiwan and recording consistent performances of 5.25m in domestic meets.
Strong Season and International Ambitions
Dev Kumar Meena first set the national record of 5.40m in July last year and continues to maintain top form. He has already set his sights on major international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, with qualification marks set at 5.25m and 5.45m respectively.
“I enjoyed my practice sessions at Kalinga Stadium Indoor. I’m ready to do my best,” he added after training earlier this week.
Competitive Field in Men’s and Women’s Events
The men’s pole vault event on Saturday will feature 14 athletes, including Kuldeep Kumar (Madhya Pradesh) and Reegan G (Tamil Nadu). The U20 category will see seven participants.
In the women’s section, national record holder Baranica Elangovan will be the main attraction, with her personal best of 4.22m setting the benchmark. Eleven athletes have registered for the women’s final scheduled on Sunday.
Multi-Event Athletic Showcase
The competition will also include combined events such as heptathlon for men and pentathlon for women. The heptathlon includes 60m sprint, long jump, shot put, high jump, 60m hurdles, pole vault, and 1000m run, while the pentathlon features 60m hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump, and 800m run.
Odisha Strengthens Indoor Athletics Platform
The event highlights Odisha’s growing role in hosting national-level sports competitions, with facilities at the Kalinga Stadium Indoor Complex providing world-class training and competition infrastructure.
The inaugural edition is expected to boost India’s indoor athletics ecosystem and provide emerging athletes with a platform to compete at higher standards.