For the first time in the country's history, India will host the 2025 edition of Para Athletics World Championships, the biggest sporting event in para athletics. The development was announced by the global governing body World Paralympic Association (WPA) on Thursday, December 19. (More Sports News)
New Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will play host to the event, which will be held between September 26 and October 5. The venue will also host the World Para Athletics Grand Prix from Marc꧅h 11-13.
Para Athletics World Championships 2025 will be the 12th edition of the event and it will be held in Asia for the fourth time. More than 1,000 athleteไs from over 100 nations are likely to compete, with the competition serving as a key event ahead of the Los Angeles Paralympic Games 2028.
“The 2025 Para Athletics World Championships will be the largest international Para sport event ever to take place in India, representing a massive opportunity to grow our sport, our 🥂fan base, and to 🅷impact society’s perception of persons with disabilities in the world’s most populous nation," Paul Fitzgerald, head of the World Para Athletics said in a statement.
India’s progress in para athletics has been impressive, w🦹ith the country securing 17 medals, including six gold, at the 2023 World Championships in Kobe.
"This success reflects the work of the National Pa𒉰ralymওpic Committee of India and the investment being made in sports, particularly Para athletics, in the country.
"We have 🌳witnessed the impact major events can 𒁏have and the legacy they can leave to make Para sports more visible and accessible to everyone.
"We believe this can happen in New Delhi, and we look forward to welcoming the world’s best athletes to India next ✱year," he added.
The National of India emphasised that hosting this event ♛is crucial ♏in accelerating the Paralympic movement in the country.
"This prestigious championships will not only elevate India’s position on the global sports map but also play a pivotal role in accelerating the Paralympic movement within the country," NPC♓ India said.
"With a population of over 60 million persons with disabilities, this event is a crucial step in fostering inclusivity, e🦋mpowering athletes, and expanding opportunities for🐷 athletes with disabilities.
"We are excited to welcome athletes, coaches, an♌d officials from around the woꦺrld to showcase India’s unparalleled growth in the field of Para sports."
Furthermore, the hosting of the 2025 Para Athletics World Championships could serve as a significant boost to India’s bid to host t🐟he 2029 World Athletics Championships.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has already expressed interest in India's anticipated bid for the 2029 World Champ🐎ionships, a key event in India’s broader strategy to bid for the 2036 Olympics.
The Athletics Federation of India is expected to formally express interest iജn hosting the 2029 World Championships when the bidding process opens.
(With PTI inputs)
