India Bids To Host 2028 Asian Indoor Athletics And 2026 Asian Relays

India has placed bids to host the 2028 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships and the 2026 Asian Relays, aiming to stage continental and global events in the coming years.

If successful, it would be the first

time India hosts these two continental competitions.

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has proposed Bhubaneswar as the venue for the 2028 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, while the location for the 2026 Asian Relays has not yet been determined.

“We have submitted the bid for the 2028 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships with Bhubaneswar as the host city. There is no other venue in India that can host the event apart from the indoor facility at the Kalinga Stadium complex in Bhubaneswar,” a senior AFI official told PTI under conditions of anonymity.

“For the 2026 Asian Relays, we have not yet decided on the venue.”

Currently, AFI is considering a north Indian city for the Asian Relays, likely to be held in April, but this is not final and may change later.

The advanced indoor facility at the Kalinga Stadium complex in Bhubaneswar was inaugurated in 2024. It includes a 200m running track, a 100m practice track, designated areas for long jump, triple jump, pole vault, and shot put, warm-up areas for athletes, and a gym.

The oval-shaped track lies below a spectator gallery that can accommodate 2000 people. The facility also has 60 twin-sharing rooms and a dining hall for those undergoing full-time training.

The inaugural Asian Relays were held in May 2024 in Bangkok, where India won gold in the mixed 4x400m and silver in both the men’s and women’s 4x400m.

The biennial Asian Indoor Athletics Championships were first held in 2004 in Tehran. Iran has hosted the event four times, all in Tehran, the most by any country.

Tehran hosted the last edition in 2024, with India winning three gold medals and one silver. Tajinderpal Singh Toor (men’s shot put), Jyothi Yarraji (women’s 60m hurdles), and Harmilan Bains (women’s 1500m) each won gold, while Ankita Dhyani (women’s 3000m) won silver.

The 2026 edition of the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships will be held in Tianjin, China, from February 6-8.

India has also formally expressed interest in hosting the 2028 World U20 Championships and either the 2029 or 2031 editions of the senior World Athletics Championships.

(With PTI Inputs)