India will make history in 2025 by hosting the Para Athletics World Championships for the first time, as announced by World Para Athletics (WPA) on Thursday. The event will take place at New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium from September 26 to October 5, and the venue will also host the World Para Athletics Grand Prix from March 11 to 13.
This will be the 12th edition of the Para Athletics World Championships and the fourth time it is being held in Asia. Over 1,000 athletes from more than 100 countries are expected to participate, with the competition serving as a key qualifier for the Los Angeles Paralympic Games in 2028.
Paul Fitzgerald, head of World Para Athletics, described the 2025 Championships as the largest international Para sport event ever hosted in India. He highlighted its potential to grow the sport, expand its fan base, and positively influence societal perceptions of people with disabilities in India, the world’s most populous nation.
India has made remarkable progress in Para athletics, winning 17 medals, including six golds, at the 2023 World Championships in Kobe. Fitzgerald attributed this success to the efforts of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of India and the country’s investment in sports, especially Para athletics. He expressed confidence in New Delhi’s ability to host a transformative event and create a lasting legacy for Para sports in India.
The NPC of India emphasized the significance of hosting the Championships in driving the Paralympic movement in the country. It noted that the event would elevate India’s global sports profile, foster inclusivity, and empower athletes with disabilities. With over 60 million persons with disabilities in India, the event is expected to expand opportunities for athletes and promote greater awareness and accessibility.
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The 2025 Para Athletics World Championships will also strengthen India’s bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, with World Athletics President Sebastian Coe showing interest in India’s anticipated proposal. The Athletics Federation of India is expected to formally submit its bid when the process begins, marking a step forward in India’s broader aspirations to host the 2036 Olympics.
(With inputs from PTI)
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