World Athletics delegation visits Gujarat to assess 2028 and 2031 Championships bid
Synopsis
A five-member World Athletics panel has landed in Gujarat to decide if the state can host two of track and field's biggest events — the Under-20 Championships in 2028 and the senior World Championships in 2031. With the Commonwealth Games 2030 already on Gujarat's calendar, India could be on the cusp of its most ambitious back-to-back international athletics hosting run ever.
Key Takeaways
A five-member World Athletics delegation began a two-day assessment visit to Gujarat on 22 June .
The panel, led by Antti Pihlakoski , is evaluating Gujarat's bid for the World Athletics Under-20 Championships 2028 and the senior World Athletics Championships 2031 .
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi met the delegation in Gandhinagar .
Venues under review include the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex , Sardar Patel Sports Enclave , Narendra Modi Stadium , and Karai Academy .
Gujarat is also preparing to host the World Police and Fire Games and the Commonwealth Games 2030 .
Adille Sumariwalla , Vice-President of World Athletics, was among the officials present at the meeting.
A five-member World Athletics delegation on 22 June began a two-day inspection tour of Gujarat to evaluate the state's readiness to host the World Athletics Under-20 Championships in 2028 and the senior World Athletics Championships in 2031. The delegation, led by Antti Pihlakoski, Chairman of the Bid Evaluation Panel of World Athletics, opened its visit with a formal meeting with state leadership in Gandhinagar.
Delegation Meets Gujarat Leadership
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi received the delegation at the state capital. Chief Minister Patel expressed confidence that the on-ground inspection would give the World Athletics panel a first-hand appreciation of Gujarat's sporting culture and infrastructure readiness.
'The Gujarat government remained optimistic about securing the hosting rights for the World Athletics Championships in 2031 and had accelerated preparations to ensure the successful organisation of the event,' Patel emphasised.
Key Venues Under Review
Deputy Chief Minister Sanghavi told the delegation that Gujarat was simultaneously preparing to host the World Police and Fire Games and the Commonwealth Games 2030, signalling the state's broader ambitions as an international sporting destination.
According to Sanghavi, facilities at four major venues are being upgraded to meet global standards: the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, the Sardar Patel Sports Enclave, the Narendra Modi Stadium — described as the world's largest cricket stadium — and the Karai Academy. 'Infrastructure capable of supporting international sporting competitions was being developed rapidly across key venues in the state,' Sanghavi noted.
Scope of the Two-Day Assessment
The evaluation visit, scheduled across 22 and 23 June, covers inspections of sports infrastructure and ancillary facilities statewide. World Athletics, the international governing body for track and field, uses such assessment tours to determine whether a bidding city or state meets the technical and logistical thresholds required for its flagship events.
Also present at the opening meeting were Sanjeev Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister; Vala, Director General of the Sports Authority of Gujarat; and Adille Sumariwalla, Vice-President of World Athletics, along with other officials associated with the visit.
What This Means for Gujarat's Sporting Calendar
Notably, this is not Gujarat's first push onto the global sporting stage. The state has positioned itself as a preferred venue for large-scale events, backed by investments in stadium capacity and hospitality infrastructure. Securing back-to-back World Athletics mandates — the Under-20 edition in 2028 and the senior championships in 2031 — would be among the most significant international sports hosting wins for any Indian state. The delegation's formal recommendation is expected after the conclusion of the two-day tour.
Point of View
Layered on top of the Commonwealth Games 2030, is either an audacious infrastructure bet or an overcommitment risk — and the World Athletics delegation's report will be the first real stress test. India has a credible track record with large cricket and hockey events, but track and field at this scale is uncharted territory. The real question is not whether the stadiums are big enough, but whether the event-management ecosystem — timing systems, anti-doping logistics, athlete villages, broadcast infrastructure — is ready. A positive bid evaluation would mark a genuine inflection point for Indian athletics, a sport that has long played second fiddle to cricket in the country's sporting imagination.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the World Athletics delegation visiting Gujarat?
The delegation is conducting a two-day assessment tour starting 22 June to evaluate Gujarat's sports infrastructure for its bid to host the World Athletics Under-20 Championships in 2028 and the senior World Athletics Championships in 2031. The inspection covers stadiums, ancillary facilities, and overall event-readiness.
Who is leading the World Athletics evaluation team?
The five-member panel is led by Antti Pihlakoski, Chairman of the Bid Evaluation Panel of World Athletics. Adille Sumariwalla, Vice-President of World Athletics, is also part of the delegation visiting Gujarat.
Which venues in Gujarat are being assessed for the championships?
The venues under review include the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, the Sardar Patel Sports Enclave, the Narendra Modi Stadium — described as the world's largest cricket stadium — and the Karai Academy.
What other major events is Gujarat preparing to host?
Beyond the World Athletics bids, Gujarat is also preparing to host the World Police and Fire Games and the Commonwealth Games 2030, positioning the state as a hub for large-scale international sporting events.
When will the outcome of the bid evaluation be known?
The World Athletics delegation's two-day visit concludes on 23 June. A formal recommendation is expected after the assessment tour, though a specific announcement date has not been disclosed.
