Bhubaneswar, March 23 -- The two-day inaugural edition of the National Indoor Athletics Championships, scheduled to start Tuesday here at Kalinga Stadium, will herald a new beginning in Indian athletics, said Athletics Federation of India (AFI) president Bahadur Singh Sagoo.

"Competitors are excited to add a new chapter to their athletics profile," the AFI president told the media during an interactive session on Monday, according to a press release from the AFI.

The first edition of the National Indoor Championships, which has attracted 278 entries including 97 female athletes, will certainly act as a catalyst for upcoming competitions, said Sagoo.

"The two-day indoor competition, which has attracted young and experienced athletes, wi...