Chandigarh and Bhubaneswar received hosting rights for two major Asian athletics events, decided on Wednesday in Hong Kong.
The Asian Athletics Associations awarded Chandigarh the 2027 Asian Relays. Bhubaneswar was picked for the 2028 Asian Indoor Championships. The decisions were taken during the body's executive council meeting.
The Asian Athletics Associations council met ahead of the Asian U20 Championships, scheduled from May 28 to 31. World Athletics Vice-President Adille Sumariwalla attended the meeting in Hong Kong. "Its a very proud moment for the country,\" Adille Sumariwalla told. India will stage both meets in successive years.
Asian Relays hosting rights for India in Chandigarh
India will host the Asian Relays in 2027, with Chandigarh named as the venue. The Athletics Federation of
India AFI had submitted bids for both events last year. Chandigarh's meet will be the third edition of the Asian Relays. The first edition took place in Bangkok in 2024.
The second Asian Relays will be held in Shaoxing, China from June 20-21 this year. After that edition, the event moves to India for 2027. The award gives India a new continental meet on the calendar. It also adds to India's wider push for hosting more athletics competitions.
Asian Indoor Championships hosting rights for India in Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar will host the 2028 Asian Indoor Championships at the indoor facility in the Kalinga Stadium complex. The championships are likely to be held in February. The same facility has already staged India's inaugural national indoor championships. That event was held in March at the same venue.
The Bhubaneswar indoor arena will also stage another major event in 2028. It is scheduled to host the 2028 World Indoor Championships from March 3-5. With two major meets in close dates, organisers will use the same stadium complex. The city will then host both Asian and world level indoor competition.
Hosting rights for India linked to future World Athletics bids
India securing two Asian meets matches efforts to stage more continental and global events in coming years. India has formally expressed interest to host the 2028 World U20 Championships. India has also shown interest in hosting the senior World Athletics Championships. The bids mentioned were for either the 2029 or 2031 editions.
With inputs from PTI
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