A delegation from World Athletics visited Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar to evaluate facilities as India bids to host the 2028 World Indoor Athletics Championships. The team met state officials and assessed infrastructure including the indoor track, hotels, and airport. Adille Sumariwalla, WA vice-president, praised the state government's response.
On Wednesday, a team from World Athletics (WA) conducted an inspection at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, as part of India's bid to host the 2028 World Indoor Athletics Championships. The delegation included WA's head of bidding, Mark Hurst, and director of competitions and events, Marton Gyulai. They were accompanied by WA vice-president Adille Sumariwalla, a former president of the Athletics Federation of India and current spokesperson.
The group met Odisha Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj and other senior state bureaucrats. During the visit, they examined the indoor athletics venue on the Kalinga Stadium campus and reviewed supporting facilities such as nearby hotels and the airport to assess overall hosting capabilities.
"They were here to evaluate different parameters. The response from the state Government is very good," Sumariwalla told The Hindu, highlighting the positive engagement from local authorities.
India's bid faces competition, with sources indicating Kazakhstan as a potential strong contender alongside other countries. The inspection comes at a pivotal time, as the indoor track at Kalinga Stadium prepares for its debut competitive event: the inaugural National Indoor Championships scheduled for March 24 and 25.
This visit underscores Odisha's growing role in international athletics, building on its experience with events like the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships. The evaluation will inform WA's decision on the 2028 host, emphasizing infrastructure readiness and governmental support.
