Bhubaneswar: The 58th National Open Athletics Championships kicked off at Kalinga Stadium in here on Tuesday morning.The mega sports event, organised by Sports & Youth Services Department of Odisha government, will end on September 28.
Sources said, qualifying rounds will be held between 7 AM to 10 AM every day, while medal events will take place from 6 PMto 10 PM in the evening.
Around 805 athletes from across the country are taking part in the mega event. A 15-member team including star athletes Purnima Hembram, Jauna Murmu, Amiya Mallick and Parbati Sethi will represent Odisha in the sporting extravaganza.
Asian Games medallist including ace sprinter Dutee Chand, javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, emerging star Hima Das, discus thrower Seema Punia and seasoned steeplechaser Sudha Singh have decided to skip the event.
However, at least four Asiad medal-winning athletes, including triple jump gold medallist Arpinder Singh, women’s long jump silver medallist V. Neena, 1500m bronze winner P.U. Chitra and 400m silver-winning 400m hurdler A. Dharun, will be seen in action.
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