The Business Bytes
Bhubaneswar, December 6, 2024 (TBB Bureau): The 39th Junior National Athletics Championships, slated to take place in Bhubaneswar from December 7 to 11, 2024, promises to be an exhilarating showcase of talent, with 17 athletes from the Odisha Reliance Foundation High Performance Centre (HPC) ready to leave their mark on home soil.
Among the standout names are Bapi Hansda (400m), Mahendra Santa (100m & 4x100m), DM Jayaram (100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay), Sabita Toppo (100m hurdles), and Laxmipriya Kisan (800m and 1500m), all of whom have consistently delivered medal-worthy performances in recent competitions. Other promising athletes include Ommkar Prasad Nanda (discus throw and shot put), Astik Pradhan (200m, 400m, and 4x400m), Rajendra Sidhu (110m hurdles and 4x100m), and Swagat Behera (triple jump).
The athletes come into the championship with notable achievements under their belts. Jayaram, Santa, Toppo, and Kisan recently medaled at the SAAF Junior Athletics Championships, with Kisan adding to her tally at the Indian Open U-23 Athletics Competition.
Head Coach Martin Owens expressed confidence in the team’s preparation: “We conducted performance-graded races for our athletes as part of their build-up. Mahendra clocked an impressive 10.66 seconds in the 100m, the second-fastest time by an Indian junior this year. Astik has also shown excellent progress and is one to watch. The 4x100m relay team has been exceptional in training, and we’re optimistic about their performance. Sabita’s win in the 100m hurdles at the Police Games last month highlights her excellent form, and Laxmi’s medal-winning performance at the SAAF Games sets her up for success.”
The championships will be held at the iconic Kalinga Stadium, which is also home to the Odisha Athletics High Performance Centre. This facility exemplifies the commitment of the Odisha Government and Reliance Foundation to transforming the athletics landscape in the region and nurturing local talent for success on national and international stages.
The Odisha Reliance Foundation Athletics HPC is a state-of-the-art facility, featuring South Asia’s first indoor athletics stadium. Its cutting-edge infrastructure enables year-round training, creating an environment conducive to producing elite athletes. The HPC aims to be Asia’s most innovative high-performance centre, identifying and nurturing young talent to reach their maximum potential.
The HPC has already produced champions like Animesh Kujur, the reigning U23 100m and 200m national champion, and rising stars such as Bapi Hansda, DM Jayaram, Sabita Toppo, and Mahendra Santa. These athletes have represented India at prestigious events, including the World Junior Championships, Asian Youth and Junior Championships, and Commonwealth Youth Games.
Under the HPC’s 360-degree support system, athletes benefit from specialized training, sports science, nutrition, psychology, education, and sports medicine, ensuring their holistic development.
