National Junior Athletics Championships rescheduled, to be held in Bhubaneswar in December
The 39th National Junior Athletics Championships is set to take place from December 7 to 11, 2024, at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Initially scheduled to begin on October 25, the event was postponed due to Cyclone Dana, which led to unavoidable delays.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) confirmed this on October 22, noting that safety and preparedness were top priorities in deciding to shift the dates. With the rescheduling now finalized, preparations are underway to make this edition a successful gathering of the nation’s junior athletic talent.
The AFI had taken to X to announce the rescheduled dates of the 39th National Junior Athletics Championships.
Rescheduled dates of Junior national athletics championship are December 7 to 11. Venue: Kalinga stadium Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. #Odisha #IndianAthletics #Bhubaneswar," the tweet read.
In a recent letter addressed to AFI Secretary Ravinder Chaudhry, the Odisha Sports and Youth Services Department formally confirmed the new dates for the 39th National Junior Athletics Championships. The event, organized in collaboration with the Odisha Athletics Association, will feature young athletes competing across multiple age categories.
Speaking on the rescheduling of the 39th National Junior Athletics Championships, the Director of Sports for Odisha, Siddhartha Das, stated that the Sports and Youth Services Department is ready to host and is taking all necessary steps to facilitate the championship’s seamless execution in association with AFI and other stakeholders.
"In inviting a reference to the subject cited above, I am to intimate you that Sports and Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha has agreed to the rescheduling date to host the 39th National Junior Athletics Championship at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar from 7th to 11th December, 2024 in association with Odisha Athletics Association under the aegis of Athletics Federation of India," the statement in the letter read.
Therefore, it is requested to share the detailed information regarding hosting the said tournament for taking further necessary action at this end," it added.
39th National Junior Athletics Championships age group categories
The 39th National Junior Athletics Championships will see participants from across the country, competing in four age divisions, each bracketed by specific birth date ranges. This ensures a fair competitive structure among the athletes. The age groups and respective birth date requirements are as follows:
Under 14 (Boys & Girls): Born between November 12, 2010, and November 11, 2012
Under 16 (Boys & Girls): Born between November 12, 2008, and November 11, 2010
Under 18 (Boys & Girls): Born between November 12, 2006, and November 11, 2008
Under 20 (Boys & Girls): Born between November 12, 2004, and November 11, 2006