After securing the hosting rights for the 2028 World Athletics Indoor Championships earlier this year, Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, is now confirmed to host the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships as well. This event is scheduled for January 2028 at the Indoor Athletics Centre of Kalinga Stadium, marking the fourth international athletics meet the city will host within a four-year span. During the meeting, it was also revealed that Chandigarh will host the 2027 Asian Relay Championships.
‘It will be a big boost to athletics in particular and sports in general,’ Sagoo stated. ‘International events will enable the athletics fraternity to witness top athletes in action.’
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi commented that hosting the Asian Indoor Championships would enhance the sports culture in both the state and the country. ‘The Asian Indoor Championships will be good preparation for the 2028 World Athletics Indoor Championships,’ the Odisha CM noted in a release.
Bhubaneswar has consistently hosted major athletics events, starting with the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze-level meet last year. This year, it will also host a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver-level meet. The city has regularly organized national-level events, beginning with the Federation Cup in 2024, where Neeraj Chopra secured the title with a throw of 82.27m. Following that, it hosted the National Junior Athletics Championships and its 2025 edition.
This year has been particularly active, with the city hosting the inaugural National Indoor Athletics Championships and the Indoor Open Combined Events & Pole Vault Meet. Next month, top athletes from across the country will compete in Bhubaneswar at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships, which will also serve as a qualifying event for the upcoming Asian Games.
Meanwhile, Chandigarh will host the 2027 Asian Relay Championships in May at the Sector 7 Sports Complex, featuring six events, including the 4x100m and 4x400m men’s, women’s, and mixed relays.
Source: Times of India
