Chandigarh picked for hosting national athletics events

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has allotted two important events to the city. For the third consecutive year, the Chandigarh Athletics Association will host the National Open Race Walking Competitions — the 13th edition of the national event — from February 21 to 22 next year at Sukhna Lake. This will be followed by another event, the 3rd National Open Relay Competitions on April 18, which is expected to be held at the Sector 7 Sports Complex. This event is also being organised here for the third consecutive year.

The AFI announced their annual sports calendar recently. While the city will host two major events, the AFI allotted Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Panchkula, the Indian Athletics Series-14 to he held on August16. The stadium had hosted the National Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championships in April.

In 2024, the World Athletics (WA) invalidated the results of both the men’s and women’s 20km race walking event of the 11th National Open Race Walking Championship, which was held at Sukhna Lake. In previous years, many Indian athletes participated in both events. In 2024, the AFI also conducted the Olympic-qualifying contest — the 11th South Asian and Indian Open Race Walking Competition, at Sukhna.

As the Tricity stadiums have been allocated three events, Patiala will host the 5th Indian Open Throw Competitions from March 7 to 8.