The 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championship 2026 began at the iconic Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. The five-day championship is being jointly organised by the Athletics Federation of India and the Department of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Odisha.

Odisha Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj inaugurated the prestigious event as the chief guest. Addressing the athletes, the minister encouraged participants and highlighted Odisha’s world-class sports infrastructure. He welcomed athletes from across the country and expressed confidence that the championship would add another milestone to Odisha’s growing sporting legacy.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by several prominent personalities, including Dr Lalit Kumar Bhanot, President of the South Asian Athletics Federation; Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Sports and Youth Services Department; Dr Yeddula Vijay, Sports Director; and Abhijit Paul, President of the Odisha Olympic Association.

The championship holds special significance as it serves as an important qualification event for the upcoming Asian Games 2026, scheduled to be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4.

Around 630 elite athletes, including 342 men and 288 women representing 27 states and Union Territories, are taking part in the five-day competition. The event features 45 medal categories across various track and field disciplines, including sprinting, hurdles, high jump, long jump, and javelin throw.

Haryana has sent the largest contingent with 70 athletes, while host Odisha is represented by 28 athletes, including 12 women. Several leading Odisha athletes, including javelin thrower Kishore Jena and sprinters Sravani Nanda, Animesh Kujur, Lalu Prasad Bhoi, Pragyan Prasanti Sahu, and Sabita Toppo, are competing in the championship.

The event will continue till June 28, bringing together India’s finest athletes on one of the country’s premier sporting platforms.

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Kalinga Stadium Witnesses Grand Yoga Day Celebration

The spirit of yoga swept across Odisha and the nation as the 12th International Day of Yoga was celebrated with great enthusiasm on Saturday. A grand state-level event was organised at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, where Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi participated in a mass yoga session and addressed the gathering.

Emphasising the importance of yoga in daily life, the Chief Minister said that yoga is essential for physical fitness, mental well-being and intellectual development. He noted that International Yoga Day is now being observed across countries worldwide, while every district in Odisha is actively participating in the celebrations.

‘Yoga Before Medicine’: CM’s Message to Citizens

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Majhi urged people to make yoga and pranayama a part of their daily routine. He advised citizens to dedicate at least 20 to 30 minutes every day to yoga practice for a stress-free life and better health.

“Practice yoga before taking medicine,” the Chief Minister said, highlighting yoga as a preventive healthcare measure. He described yoga as the best remedy for healthy ageing and encouraged senior citizens to adopt yogic practices regularly.

He also stressed the need for individuals to remain physically fit before health problems arise, noting that issues such as high blood pressure, stress and other lifestyle-related ailments become more common with age.

‘Leave the Mobile, Pick Up the Yoga Mat’

In a strong message to the younger generation, Mohan Majhi urged youth to reduce their dependence on mobile phones and social media.

“Leave the mobile phone and pick up the yoga mat,” he said, encouraging young people to spend at least 20 to 30 minutes daily on yoga instead of excessive screen time. According to the Chief Minister, regular yoga practice boosts self-confidence, improves concentration and helps reduce the risk of diseases.

He added that yoga is not merely a physical exercise but a way of life that promotes overall well-being and personal growth.

Yoga to Be Promoted in Educational Institutions

The Chief Minister announced that yoga education would be strengthened in schools and colleges to encourage healthy lifestyles among students from an early age. He stated that the government’s primary objective is to transform yoga into a people’s movement and ensure that its benefits reach every household across Odisha.

As part of this initiative, the state government plans to establish a dedicated yoga institution on 20 acres of land at Binjhagiri near Jatni.

Global Participation Marks 12th International Yoga Day

International Yoga Day is observed annually to create awareness about the benefits of yoga and encourage people to adopt healthier lifestyles. This year marks the 12th edition of the global event.

The theme for International Yoga Day 2026 is “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” highlighting the role of yoga in promoting long-term health and active ageing.

Yoga Day celebrations are being held at nearly 2,500 locations across the world and through more than 210 Indian missions abroad, demonstrating the growing global popularity of India’s ancient wellness tradition.

Yoga Emerges as a Global Movement

What began as an Indian cultural and spiritual practice has evolved into a worldwide movement for health and wellness. As millions participate in yoga sessions across continents, the celebration reflects yoga’s increasing significance in promoting physical fitness, mental balance and harmony in modern life.

With leaders, institutions and citizens joining hands in the observance, International Yoga Day continues to reinforce the message that yoga is a powerful tool for building healthier individuals and a healthier society.

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Odisha has officially begun its countdown to the 12th International Yoga Day with the launch of a week-long Yoga Festival at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. The initiative aims to promote health, wellness, and community participation while encouraging citizens to make yoga a part of their daily lives.

The programme is being jointly organized by the Sports & Youth Services Department and the Odisha Yoga Mahotsav Samiti, with a series of yoga camps scheduled from June 15 to June 20.

Grand Launch at Kalinga Stadium

The festival was inaugurated at the Indoor Athletics Centre of Kalinga Stadium by Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj and Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Sports & Youth Services Department Bhupendra Singh Poonia.

The week-long programme will culminate in a grand celebration on June 21 at Kalinga Stadium to mark the 12th International Yoga Day.

The initiative is being conducted under the guidance of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and coordinated by members of the Odisha Yoga Mahotsav Samiti, including Alok Das, Dr. Debakanta Behera and Premananda Nath.

Yoga Promoted as a Path to Individual and Collective Well-Being

Addressing participants at the inaugural event, Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj emphasized the importance of making yoga a daily habit rather than limiting it to annual celebrations.

“We practiced yoga and pranayama for an hour today. However, yoga should not remain confined to a single day. Individual health is the foundation of a healthy society, and yoga remains one of the most effective ways to achieve physical and mental well-being,” he said.

The minister highlighted that personal wellness ultimately contributes to stronger and healthier communities.

Inspired by Prime Minister’s Vision

The event reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming International Yoga Day into a global movement promoting health and harmony.

Organizers said the initiative is aligned with the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—”The World is One Family”—which seeks to unite people across the globe through the practice of yoga.

Last year, Odisha witnessed the participation of more than 10,000 people in a large-scale yoga camp organized under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

Technology to Expand Yoga’s Reach

A key focus of this year’s celebrations is the use of modern technology to make yoga more accessible. Organizers are promoting the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), mobile applications and digital platforms to help citizens practice yoga from their homes.

The initiative also aims to encourage digital awareness among young people while integrating yoga into everyday lifestyles.

Officials said the objective is to ensure that yoga becomes a regular wellness practice rather than a once-a-year event.

Focus on Rural Outreach and Record Participation

The Union Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the Odisha Yoga Mahotsav, is working to extend yoga awareness and participation to rural and border regions of the state.

With extensive grassroots campaigns and digital engagement, authorities expect significantly higher participation this year compared to previous editions.

Organizers also indicated that efforts are underway to connect millions of participants simultaneously through digital platforms, with the goal of creating a new Guinness World Record during the International Yoga Day celebrations.

Senior Officials Attend Inaugural Event

The launch ceremony was attended by several senior government officials, including Special Secretary Ashok Kumar Panda, Additional Secretaries Bijay Kumar Swain and Sudhakar Nayak, along with other officers of the Sports & Youth Services Department.

The week-long festival is expected to witness participation from students, athletes, yoga practitioners and members of the public, culminating in one of Odisha’s largest International Yoga Day celebrations to date.

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