Odisha is gearing to host the National lawn bowls championship for the first time in the state this month. “The 1st U-18 & 6th U-25 National Lawn Bowls Championships 2026 will take place at the newly built RN Singh Deo International Lawn Bowl Court in Balangir from October 23 to 26,’’ State Bowling Association, Odisha (SBAO) vice-president, Manmath Singh Deo announced at a media conference in Bhubaneswar today.

Around 250 players from 18 states, including Odisha, are expected to participate in these championships, which will be organized under the auspices of the Bowling Federation of India. The Department of Sports & Youth Services, Government of Odisha, has provided all support for the successful staging of the National event,” added SBAO secretary Sumit Ranjan Purohit.

According to the organising officials, preparatory camp for the probables of the Odisha teams is underway at the championship venue since October 1. State teams will be announced after the conclusion of the camp on October 20. If allowed by the National federation, host Odisha will field two teams for both the National championships.

Lawn bowl sport has achieved notable success within a decade since its inception in Odisha. The State has won one silver and three bronze medals in the last two National Games. Odisha also secured three bronze medals at the 5th U-25 National Lawn Bowls Championship in New Delhi last year.

Balangir woman Rajeswari Seth, who became the first lawn bowl international of the State by representing India at the Asian championship, will spearhead the Odisha U-25 womens team in the ensuing National championship. National medallist Roshni Sahu will be the trump card of the Odisha U-18 womens team.

With Padmasini Putel, another National medallist, set to feature in the State U-25 womens team, Odisha is hopeful of winning multiple medals at the upcoming National championships. SBAO executive committee member and Khordha District Bowling Association secretary Suresh Swain was present at the media conference today.
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PHOTO: SBAO office-bearers (L-R), Suresh Swain, Manmath Singh Deo and Sumit Ranjan Purohit brief the media on the ensuing National Lawn Bowls Championships, in Bhubaneswar on 6 October 2026.