Is Hosting the World Para Athletics Championships a Milestone for India’s Para-Sports Revolution?

New Delhi, Sep 20 (NationPress) Paul Fitzgerald, the leader of World Para Athletics (WPA), asserts that the upcoming 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi will ignite a fervor for para-athletics in the nation, marking yet another significant achievement in India's para-sports evolution.

India is preparing to host its largest-ever para-sporting event, the New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships, scheduled from September 27 to October 5 at the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

This edition is a pivotal milestone in India's mission to champion inclusivity and enhance the growing enthusiasm and viewership for Para athletics. Over 2,200 athletes and support personnel from 104 nations, including world champions and Paralympic medalists, will compete in 186 medal events, making this the largest para-sporting event ever hosted in India.

Fitzgerald is confident that the championship will engage the Indian public, motivating them to watch, participate, and further ignite the nation's passion for Para sports, especially athletics.

“Selecting India for this event is particularly meaningful given the current global momentum surrounding Para sports. Over the past decade, India has cultivated and transformed Para sports, achieving remarkable progress in performance, athlete support, and the spirit of inclusivity. This truly positions India as the perfect host for a championship of this magnitude,” Fitzgerald stated as reported by SAI Media on Saturday.

He continued, “The advancement of Para athletics in India is noteworthy, evidenced by the leap from two silver medals at the Doha 2015 World Championships to a remarkable 17 medals, including six gold, at last year's championships in Kobe. This achievement underscores the tremendous efforts of the Paralympic Committee of India and the investments made not only in infrastructure but also in promoting recognition and support for inclusivity.”

At the launch of the New Delhi 2025 logo and mascot ‘Viraaj’, Fitzgerald remarked, “New Delhi 2025 is poised to be one of the most engaging and inclusive World Championships ever. The vision of PCI and the vibrancy of India are genuinely inspiring, and we eagerly anticipate the realization of this event.”

Regarding expectations for the championship, he mentioned, “We aim to capitalize on the growing enthusiasm for Para sports across the country. Hosting a major event like this can dramatically enhance visibility, engage audiences, and create a lasting legacy, making Para athletics more accessible and celebrated nationwide. With India’s large youth demographic, this championship serves as an opportunity to spread the message of inclusivity and inspire the next generation of athletes.”

“This prestigious championship will not only elevate India’s profile on the global sports stage but also accelerate the Paralympic movement within the country. It will empower athletes, broaden opportunities, and provide a platform for global exchange and competition on Indian soil,” he added.

In preparation for the 2025 championships, the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) is enhancing the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to deliver world-class facilities for Para athletes. A new Mondo track has been installed by the same company responsible for the surface used at the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, ensuring Indian athletes compete on the best tracks available.

The renovations also feature a para-friendly gym, accessibility-focused updates throughout the stadium, and two new long jump pits, one specifically designed for Para athletes. Collectively, these enhancements signify a new era for para-sports in India.

Fitzgerald noted that major sporting events represent an opportunity and a vital investment in enhancing the country’s sports culture and infrastructure. He stated, “Hosting significant tournaments serves as a formidable test for infrastructure. The Mondo track at JLN Stadium is a remarkable investment by India, benefiting not only the current generation of athletes but also inspiring future generations who will witness world-class performances here.”

In India, para-sports have gained traction in both popularity and performance. The pivotal moment came during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, where India achieved a record performance with 19 medals—five gold, eight silver, and six bronze. This record was surpassed in Paris 2024, where India garnered a historic total of 29 medals, including seven gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze, crossing the 50-medal mark in its Paralympic history.

The New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships is a landmark occasion, representing India's inaugural hosting of this prestigious tournament. The expanded competition program features 184 medal events, an increase of 13 compared to the last edition in Kobe, comprising 100 for men, 83 for women, and one mixed event.

To ensure the championships reach every household, the PCI has partnered with Prasar Bharati, India’s public service broadcaster, which will serve as the Official Broadcast Partner of the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships.

The championships are set to be a historic milestone for Indian sport, showcasing the skill, determination, and unwavering spirit of the nation’s para-athletes while inspiring the next generation to dream bigger and aim higher. The event will offer the world’s elite athletes a chance to experience India’s celebrated warmth and hospitality, truly embodying the ethos of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ (the guest is god).