Our Bureau
Bhubaneswar
India has scored a big win in sports. The country will host the World Indoor Athletics Championships for the first time in 2028. The event will take place in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, at the modern Kalinga Stadium complex.
World Athletics made the announcement on March 18, 2026, during a council meeting in Torun, Poland. President Sebastian Coe shared the news. He said the council picked Odisha for 2028 and Astana, Kazakhstan, for 2030. This choice shows trust in India’s setup for top events.
Athletics Federation of India (AFI) President Bahadur Singh Sagoo called it a sign of India’s rise in global athletics. A World Athletics team checked the Bhubaneswar venue in January 2026. They liked the indoor arena and other facilities.
The championships happen every two years. Top athletes from around the world run, jump, and throw indoors. India joins Asia’s hosts like Japan in 1999, Qatar in 2010, and China in 2025. It will be the 22nd edition.
Odisha has spent a lot on sports. The state builds stadiums and trains athletes. Hosting this event will boost youth interest in athletics.
This comes as India eyes more big games. The nation plans the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad. Coe praised India’s bold sports plans.
