NEW DELHI: Between January 2025 and June 2026, India hosted 36 international sporting events in over 15 cities. In the next six months, 11 more events are planned in addition to already secured household rights for 19 events from 2027 to 2028. These include the Asian qualifiers for the 2027 FIBA ​​World Cup, the Wushu Commonwealth Championship and the 2nd leg of the Asian Archery Cup, all in Ahmedabad, India’s bid city for the 2036 Summer Olympics.At the recently held session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), a modified process for selecting the hosts was approved. In 2024, India submitted a letter of intent to host the 2036 Games.Under a new process under Kirsty Coventry’s presidency, the 2036 host will be unveiled after a vote in mid-2029. Instead of the sports ministry, the responsibility to lead India’s effort will lie with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the Gujarat government and the athletes.The IOC added a strategic dialogue phase between the continuous dialogue and the final phase of targeted dialogue with relevant parties. During the strategic dialogue phase, candidate cities will have to provide “basic financial guarantees” among other requirements.Candidate cities will also have to meet criteria related to cost control and ensure timelines for completing key points of the project, among other aspects. India is currently in the phase of continuous dialogue.Other countries that have shown interest in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics and Paralympics are Qatar, Turkey and South Africa.“The contents will be superb”Another notable event in the next six months is the BWF World Championships at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi from August 17. The venue came under fire in January during the India Open for poor infrastructure and lack of hygiene as it was frequented by bird poo and stray monkeys.“The goal is for the facilities to be at the top level. Minister [sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya] follow the preparations”, explained the source who follows the development of the event.After the India Open, the sports ministry stepped in to establish protocols for the maintenance of Sports Authority of India (SAI) infrastructure, such as the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, including quarterly inspections of the halls.
