Federation Cup Athletics 2024: Neeraj Chopra Urges Bhubaneswar Fans To 'Please Come and Support Us', Will Fans Flock to Kalinga Stadium?

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As the Federation Cup Athletics 2024 is underway at the iconic Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, the spotlight falls not only on the biggest Indian track and field athlete coming to the event but also on the spectators filling the stands.

Neeraj Chopra recently urged fans to turn up in numbers, raising the question: Will the stands be brimming with supporters?

Neeraj Chopra's Call to Action

Neeraj Chopra's recent stellar performance with a big throw of 88.36m at the Doha Diamond League 2024 made fans hopeful that the country's reigning Olympic Champion is all set to repeat his feat in the Paris Olympics later this year.

Following his season start in Doha, Neeraj Chopra urged supporters in Bhubaneswar: "I request people to please come and watch and support us." Chopra's plea adds weight to the importance of spectator presence in boosting athlete morale and performance.

Joining Chopra on the final day of the competition is hometown hero Kishore Kumar Jena. Fresh from his Diamond League debut in Doha, where he had a humble start of 76.31 meters, Jena's presence alongside Chopra adds a local flavour to the event, enticing Bhubaneswar residents to rally behind their own.

A History of Sparse Crowds

Despite the enthusiasm generated by Chopra's call, scepticism looms over the turnout. The first day of the competition witnessed a lukewarm response from spectators, a common occurrence in national athletics events nationwide.

Previous editions of events held at the same venue, like the Inter-State Athletics Championships, struggled to draw crowds, a stark contrast to the fervent support enjoyed by other sports, such as hockey and football. The Intercontinental Cup, which ran concurrently with Inter-States, enjoyed almost a full house compared to empty athletics stands.

India's rising long jump talent, Shaili Singh, who competed in Inter-States last year, told MyKhel at that time: "I saw the football match the other night and saw a full-packed stadium supporting the Indian team. I was hopeful of seeing the same crowd the next day during our events but that wasn't the case, which disappointed me a bit."

And this year, compounding the challenge is the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), which has captivated the nation's attention with its exhilarating cricket matches. The glitz and glamour surrounding cricket, coupled with the decisive stages of the IPL season, poses a formidable competition for athletics in garnering spectator interest.

Hope Amidst Doubt

Despite these obstacles, optimism prevails among organisers and fans alike. Neeraj Chopra's cult status in Indian athletics, fueled by his historic Olympic triumph, promises to attract a sizable audience at least on the final day. Moreover, the presence of local hero Kishore Kumar Jena, celebrated for his Asian Games silver medal, further bolsters hopes of a spirited turnout.

Reminiscing on past successes, organisers draw parallels to the enthusiastic response witnessed during the Asian Athletics Championships in 2017. Hometown favourites Dutee Chand and Amiya Kumar Mallick electrified the stadium with their performances, drawing crowds in droves.

Neeraj Chopra himself, after winning gold during the 2017 Championships, acknowledged that strong crowd support gave him a lot of confidence.

While none of Dutee and Amiya are competing this season for various reasons, the prospect of witnessing a showdown between Chopra and Jena, two titans of the Indian javelin, ignites anticipation among spectators. An official also confirmed that they have been getting enquiries for passes for the men's javelin final regularly but an air of scepticism remains as far as getting a full house is concerned.