Lakshya Sen returns to Taiwan’s Lin Chun-yi, unseen, during the men’s singles quarter-final match at the 2026 Badminton India Open, in New Delhi. (PTI photo)
New Delhi: Between January 2025 and June 2026, India hosted 36 international sporting events in more than 15 cities. In the next six months, a further 11 events are planned with hosting rights for 19 events secured from 2027 until 2028.
This includes the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers, the Commonwealth Wushu Championships, and the second Asian Paralympic Cup Shooting Match, all in Ahmedabad, the city that has bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics.At a recent IOC session, a redrawn host selection process was approved. In 2024, India submitted its letter of intent to host the 2036 Games.Under the new process headed by Kirsty Coventry, the 2036 host country will be revealed after a vote in mid-2029.
Instead of the Sports Ministry, the onus to lead the Indian effort will fall on the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the Gujarat government and the athletes.The International Olympic Committee added a strategic dialogue phase between the ongoing dialogue and the final targeted dialogue stages with the parties concerned. During the strategic dialogue phase, candidate cities will have to provide “basic financial guarantees” among other requirements.
The nominated cities will also have to meet criteria related to controlling costs, providing timelines for completing project milestones among other aspects. India is currently in the ongoing dialogue phase.Other countries that have shown interest in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics and Paralympics are Qatar, Turkey and South Africa.“Facilities will be at the highest level”Another event in the next six months is the BWF World Championships at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi from August 17.
The place came under criticism in January during the Indian Open for poor infrastructure and lack of cleanliness due to visiting bird droppings and stray monkeys.“The goal is to ensure that the facilities are of the highest standard,” Minister [sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya] A source following the developments explained.After the Indian Open, the Sports Ministry stepped in to put in place protocols for the maintenance of Sports Authority of India (SAI) infrastructure, such as the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, including a quarterly audit of the venues.