Ranchi to host 4th South Asian Senior Athletics Championships in May

Ranchi is set to host the 4th South Asian Senior Athletics Championships at the city's Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium from May 3 to 5, 2025. This marks the return of the event to India after a gap of 17 years, the last edition being held in 2008.

Ranchi was initially supposed to host the championships from October 4 to 6 last year, but the event was postponed.

“4th South Asian Senior Athletics Championships will be held from 3rd and 5th May 2025 in Ranchi, India. Relevant information will be shared in due course!” Sri Lanka Athletics posted on social media on Friday.

The championship will see participation from athletes representing India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives. It serves as a crucial preparatory event ahead of a demanding athletics season and will also act as a qualifier for upcoming regional and international competitions.

The first two editions of the South Asian Senior Athletics Championships were held in 1997 and 1998.

For Ranchi, this will be the second major athletics event of the year, following the India Open Athletics Meetings on April 10. The city has grown in significance on the Indian athletics calendar in recent years, having hosted the Indian Open Race Walking Competition and the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in 2023.