Odisha Weightlifting Association (OWA) today announced a 11-member State womens squad for the Khelo India ASMITA Inter Zone (National) Weightlifting League, scheduled to be held at Modinagar, Uttar Pradesh from 8 to 14 January 2026. The lifters will be accompanied by three coaches and one manager, said OWA president Chitta Ranjan Swain.

The 11 lifters qualified for the Inter-Zone (National) Competition after winning medals at the ASMITA East Zone League, which was held at Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in Kolkata from     26 to 30 November 2025. Pritimayee Mohanty, a medal winner at the East Zone League, could not join the Odisha squad for the Inter-Zone League as she is preparing for her Plus-Two examination.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), through the Khelo India initiative, is promoting the ASMITA (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action) Leagues in various sports disciplines for women. It was earlier known as the Khelo India Womens League.

ODISHA SQUAD (11): Banita Naik, Mina Santa (B), Mina Singh, Swetalina Mohanty, Ankita Pradhan, Alisha Behera, Rimjhim Naik, Tina Rout, Romali Pradhan, Prativarani Patra, Mousumi Das.
Coaches: Jagnya Narayan Nanda, Gopal Krushna Das and Padmini Mohanty. Manager: Tanga Devi.
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PHOTO: Lifters, coaches and manager of Odisha squad pose in Bhubaneswar on 7 January 2026 before leaving for the Khelo India ASMITA Inter Zone (National) Weightlifting League to be held in Modinagar, Uttar Pradesh.