India to host World Para Athletics Championship in September at New Delhi

The Championships will feature Paralympic legends, world champions, and elite athletes, competing at the highest level of excellence and inclusion. This global sporting spectacle will be broadcast worldwide, showcasing India’s rising leadership in para-sports and reinforcing our national commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and athletic excellence.

The WPA Championships are the biggest event in the world for any single sports discipline outside

the Paralympics, held once every two years. Following celebrated editions in Kobe and Paris etc,

the global spotlight now shifts to India, not only as a host, but as a nation stepping forward with a

world-class vision.

This is a defining moment for the country. Hosting the WPA Championships affirms India’s readiness to stage global sporting events and serves as a strategic milestone in our roadmap toward bidding for the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Empowering Para-Athletes: Indian athletes will gain invaluable experience competing against the

world’s best on home soil — a powerful step toward LA 2028 and beyond.

Inspiring a Generation: The event will inspire thousands of young people with disabilities to take up

sport, promoting empowerment, visibility, and resilience.

Strengthening India’s Global Reputation: Showcasing our capacity to host an inclusive, world-class event will elevate India’s status in the global sporting community.

Technical Workforce Development: Over 180 officials and volunteers are being trained in phases to WPA standards, ensuring best-in-class event operations and building future technical capacity.

Public Awareness & Inclusion: Hosting the event will create national momentum around disability inclusion, accessibility, and societal change.

We are committed to delivering a World Championships that sets a new global benchmark. Every facet of the event — from barrier-free, comfortable accommodation and accessible transport, to

technical excellence driven by a rigorously trained workforce — is being meticulously planned to meet the highest international standards. With over 180 medal events, this edition is among the

most intricate para-athletic competitions ever staged, demanding unmatched operational precision and fairness.

At the core of this championship lies the most critical element: the track — the stage where

champions are made and records are broken. We have chosen the MONDO track, the same surface

used in every Olympic Games since 1976, as part of our vision to deliver the best-ever World

Championships. This decision is backed not only by international precedent but also by the strong

recommendations of India’s top athletes, including Olympic and Paralympic champions and

medalists such as Neeraj Chopra, Parveen Kumar and Sumit Antil. MONDO is globally recognised

for its unmatched speed and responsiveness, giving athletes the best possible chance to deliver record-breaking performances. Its proven credibility adds prestige to the event, while also symbolising India’s commitment to providing elite-level sporting infrastructure. A key measure of the event’s success will be the number of world records set, and this world-class track lays the

foundation for that legacy.

After the event, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium — already a training ground for many of India’s elite athletes — will retain the MONDO track, transforming into a lasting high-performance centre for para-athletes. This enduring infrastructure legacy will provide Indian athletes with access to world- class facilities year-round, elevating their preparation for major global competitions such as the LA 2028 Paralympics. More than just a venue upgrade, it will stand as a powerful symbol of India’s commitment to inclusive sports development, empowering future generations of para-athletes to pursue excellence on home soil.

The New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships is more than just a sporting event. It is a celebration of resilience, a platform for excellence, and a defining moment in India’s sporting journey.

Mr. Devendra, President  Paralympic Committee of India said, “We are proud to host this championship on our own soil and are committed to making it the most inclusive, technically sound, and inspiring edition in the event’s history.”