Kochi: The 55th Kerala State junior athletics championship begins at the Maharaja's Stadium here on Friday.

Over 1,800 athletes, including top stars like Sujith Kuttan, Nikhila Joseph, B. Arya, K.M. Meeshma, Steni Michael, and Alka Winnie James will figure in the three-day championship.

Competitions will be conducted in the under-14, 16, 18 and 20 age-groups.

The events begin at 9 a.m., but the inauguration, by P.T. Thomas, MP, is at 10 a.m. Ernakulam won the overall team title in the championship last year.