With Odisha all set to host the Asian Athletics Championships here, the state government today declared half-day holiday at all offices in the state capital jurisdiction on July 5, officials said. The events will be organised from July 6 to 9 at Kalinga Stadium here after its inauguration on July 5. More than 700 athletes from around 45 countries will participate in 42 events 21 for men and 21 for women. This is for the third time that the Asian Athletics Championships will be held in India, after New Delhi (1989) and Pune (2013). The winners of the Asian meet will get a direct berth for the World Championships in London from August 4 to 13.

Source: dna July 01, 2017 11:03 UTC