Bhubaneswar: In a major boost to Indian athletics, the country has been awarded the hosting rights for the prestigious World Indoor Athletics Championships 2028, with Bhubaneswar set to stage the global event.
The decision was finalised at the World Athletics Council meeting held in Toruń, a day ahead of the commencement of the 2025 edition of the championships in the Polish city.
Confirming the development, Adille Sumariwalla, vice president of World Athletics, said India will host the 2028 edition, marking a significant milestone for the sport in the country.
The bid was spearheaded by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), which had formally expressed interest earlier this year. A two-member delegation from World Athletics had visited Kalinga Stadium in January to inspect its state-of-the-art indoor facilities before giving the green light.
The 2028 World Indoor Championships will see India host a global track and field championships for the first time, from 3-5 March 2028. Odisha, the eastern Indian state on the Bay of Bengal, held the Asian Championships in 2017, while the state has also hosted a World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meeting.
Bhubaneswar, already recognised as a growing hub for international sporting events, is expected to further cement its reputation on the global stage with the successful hosting of the championship. The 2028 event will bring together elite athletes from across the world, offering India a unique opportunity to showcase its infrastructure, organisational capabilities, and rising stature in global athletics.
Welcoming the announcement, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the state has “arrived on the global stage,” adding that the world will soon witness Odisha’s deep passion for sports. He expressed immense pride that Odisha will host the championship, noting that the event returns to India after a gap of 22 years
“This milestone reflects our emergence as a global sporting hub and our unwavering commitment to world-class excellence. We look forward to welcoming athletes and fans from across the globe and showcasing our organisational prowess and Bharatiya hospitality at its very best,” he said.
Majhi also extended gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his continued guidance and support in strengthening the country’s sporting ecosystem.
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