Bahadur Singh Sagoo, president of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), revealed that India has been granted the privilege to host the 2028 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Bhubaneswar at Kalinga’s Indoor Stadium. This decision was made during the World Athletics Council meeting in Torun, Poland, where India was awarded the hosting rights for the 2028 edition. The event is set to take place in Bhubaneswar, following the 2026 edition being held in Poland.
India’s successful bid to host the 2028 World Athletics Indoor Championships marks a significant milestone for the country’s track and field sports. The World Athletics Council members, after visiting the Kalinga Indoor Stadium in Odisha, were impressed with the facilities available for hosting such prestigious events. Odisha has established itself as a premier destination for track and field events, both domestically and internationally.
The upcoming National Indoor Athletics Championships are scheduled to be held at Kalinga’s Indoor Stadium on March 24 and 25, further showcasing India’s commitment to promoting athletics. Notably, Bhubaneswar has previously hosted major events like the 2017 Asian Athletics Championships and the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze Level Competition in recent years, attracting athletes from across the globe.
Indian athletes have been making significant strides on the global stage, with notable achievements by athletes like Neeraj Chopra and Avinash Sable. Neeraj Chopra, a standout javelin thrower, has secured Olympic and World medals, while Avinash Sable clinched silver in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. The AFI president expressed optimism about the future, hoping that more Indian athletes will shine at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
