Odisha To Host Jr And Sr Artistic Gymnastics National Championships 2023-24

Bhubaneswar: The Sports and Youth Services Department of the Government of Odisha is all set to host the Junior and Senior Artistic Gymnastics National Championships for the 2023-24 season at the Gymnastics Centre in Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. In collaboration with the Odisha Gymnastics Association and the Gymnastics Federation of India, this championship will serve as a platform for elite gymnasts from across the nation to showcase their talents on the national stage.

Scheduled for December 28-30, 2023, the Junior Championship will be followed by the Senior Championship from January 2-4, 2024, both taking place in the state capital. Anticipating the participation of a total of 750 individuals, including 550 players, 120 support staff, and 100 officials from various regions, the event promises to be a spectacular display of gymnastic excellence.

With 28 affiliated units from the Gymnastics Federation of India contributing to a diverse and competitive field, athletes from all corners of the country will converge at the Gymnastics Centre. This state-of-the-art facility is equipped with advanced tools and amenities used to train athletes at both senior and grassroots levels.

Expressing enthusiasm ahead of the event, Vineel Krishna, the Sports & Youth Services Secretary of Odisha, emphasized the significance of gymnastics as a priority sport in the region. He welcomed participants and expressed the hope that hosting the championships would provide a valuable learning opportunity for local gymnasts. Working closely with the Gymnastics Federation of India and the Odisha Gymnastics Association, the organizers aim to ensure a positive experience for both junior and senior gymnasts.

Sudhir Mital, the President of the Gymnastics Federation of India, expressed satisfaction with hosting the championships in Bhubaneswar, praising the city’s excellent infrastructure and facilities for such national-level competitions. He thanked the Government of Odisha and the Odisha Gymnastics Association for their unwavering support and thorough preparations.

The championships are expected to feature intense competition among the country’s best gymnasts in both the Junior and Senior categories. Notable athletes in the Senior Championship include Olympian Pranati Nayak, Yogeshwar Singh, Rakesh Patra, Tapan Mohanty, Saif Tamboli, Gaurav Kumar, and others.

In July 2023, Honourable Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the Odisha AM/NS India Gymnastics High-Performance Centre at Kalinga Stadium, dedicated to training some of the nation’s most exceptional gymnasts.