India plans to host the World Athletics Indoor Championships in 2028.

A delegation from the World Athletics and Athletics Federation of India paid a visit to Kalinga Stadium on Wednesday. The purpose of their visit was to assess the facilities as India puts forth its bid to host the World Athletics Indoor Championships in 2028. The team thoroughly inspected the Indoor Athletic Centre and other amenities within the complex. The day ended with a meeting, chaired by Suryabanshi Suraj, the Minister for Sports & Youth Services. Accompanying Suraj were Sachin R Jadhav, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Department of Sports & Youth Services, Adille J Sumariwalla, Vice President of World Athletics, Marton Gyulai, Competition & Events Director of World Athletics, Mark Hurst, Head of Bidding for World Athletics, Ravinder Chaudhary, Chairman of AFI's Technical Committee, and Vijay Kumar Verma, AFI Bidding Expert. During the meeting, Suraj expressed his confidence in Odisha's ability to host various sporting events, citing the successful organization of the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze last year and the upcoming silver meet this year. He also expressed his hope to work with World Athletics and AFI to bring the World Indoor Championships to Odisha. Echoing Suraj's sentiments, Sumariwalla stated that India's bid for the World Indoor Athletics Championships in 2028 is in line with the Prime Minister's vision. He praised the state of Bhubaneswar, highlighting its top-notch infrastructure, hospitality, and sporting culture, making it an ideal location for the championships. The Sports Secretary of Odisha also vouched for the state's capability to host such a prestigious event. He mentioned that Odisha is already a major hub for sports in the country, with a proven track record of hosting successful events. He also proudly mentioned that some of India's top sprinters hail from Odisha. The state is committed to the advancement of athletics and is investing in the development of block level stadiums across 314 blocks. With such extensive experience and dedication, the team is confident in their ability to host events on an even larger scale. They eagerly look forward to collaborating with World Athletics and AFI to make the World Indoor Championships a historic success. In conclusion, the delegation's visit to Kalinga Stadium was a testament to Odisha's readiness and enthusiasm to host the World Athletics Indoor Championships in 2028. With world-class facilities, strong fan support, and a thriving sporting culture, Odisha is the perfect choice for such a prestigious event. As the leading English daily in Odisha, Orissa POST is proud to see the state's progress in the world of sports.