New Delhi: India is set to host a major global athletics event with Odisha hosting the World Indoor Athletics Championships in 2028. The news, announced by World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, marks an important moment in the country’s growing influence in international sport. This will be the first time India will host a major event organized by World Athletics.
The tournament is expected to be held in Bhubaneswar, which has modern facilities like Kalinga Stadium, including an indoor arena. According to AFP, Coe confirmed the decision, saying: “The World Athletics Council this morning awarded the next two events, the World Indoor Championships, to be held in Orissa, India, in 2028 and in Astana, Kazakhstan in 2030.”“The future of the World Indoor Athletics Championships looks bright and secure,” he added. The move highlights India’s growing ability to host top-level sporting events.“India will host the World Athletics Indoor Championships 2028 in Bhubaneswar. The global competition will be held at the Indoor Stadium in Kalinga,” AFI President Bahadur Singh Sagoo said.
Bigger plans for the future
India is also preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, which is seen as a stepping stone to future bids for the Olympics. Hosting these events demonstrates the country’s long-term vision to become a major sports hub.Coe has previously backed the ambition, calling it “a powerful sign of a country thinking boldly about its sporting future”.
