Bhubaneswar meet hailed as a boost for Indian athletics
World Athletics Vice President Adille Sumariwalla and other senior athletics officials have welcomed the World Athletics Silver Level Continental Tour meet held at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, saying it will provide Indian athletes with valuable international exposure ahead of the Asian Games.
Speaking to ANI, Sumariwalla said the competition allowed Indian athletes to compete against some of the world's top performers without having to travel abroad.
"Well, it will really help in the future of the players because last year we had bronze; this year we have silver," Sumariwalla said. "We've got top athletes coming, people in the top 10 in the world, people in the top 25 in the world, people in the top 50 in the world."
"Our athletes are getting an opportunity to compete against them. They are able to see them; they are able to understand their different coaches who have come. So in the long run, it is very, very useful," he added.
Officials highlight benefits for home athletes
Former Secretary General of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) Lalit Kumar Bhanot said hosting a World Athletics event in India would benefit athletes by providing them with high-level competition at home.
"Number one, it is a World Athletics event. And it has gone to the whole world that India has hosted this event. A lot of high-ranking athletes have taken part. They have provided good competition," Bhanot told ANI.
He added that the meet was planned ahead of the Asian Games to help Indian athletes improve their performances.
"It is a benefit to our athletes who are staying here and getting international competition sitting at home. They don't have to travel. Otherwise, travel--they have to waste a lot of time on travel, which they are saving. And it is a prize money competition. So it will benefit them before the Asian Games," he said.
Former long jump champion and AFI senior vice-president Anju Bobby George also praised the organisation of the event, saying it provided an ideal platform for athletes before the Asian Games. She noted that athletes benefit from competing against top-level opponents and praised the arrangements at Kalinga Stadium, comparing the experience to a Diamond League event.
The World Athletics Silver Level Continental Tour 2026 featured international and Indian athletes, with officials expressing optimism about the long-term benefits for the country's competitors.