BHUBANESWAR: The Asian Athletics Council (AAC) has chosen Odisha to host the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships 2028.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the AAC in Hong Kong on Wednesday. Alongside Odisha’s successful bid, Chandigarh was selected to host the Asian Relays Championships in 2028.
Announcing the development, the office of the chief minister said the athletics event will be organised in Bhubaneswar which has in the recent years established itself as one of India’s leading sports hubs.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi welcomed the announcement and described it as a proud moment for both Odisha and the country. “Odisha has strengthened its position as a host for global sporting events. It is another cap in Odisha’s crown,” the chief minister said while congratulating Indian athletics authorities on securing the event.
The latest hosting rights come close on the heels of Odisha being awarded the rights to host the prestigious World Athletics Indoor Championships 2028, which will also be held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
The back-to-back hosting rights of major athletics events is expected to boost Odisha’s sporting profile at the international level and reinforce India’s growing presence in global athletics administration.
Over the past decade, Odisha has invested heavily in sports infrastructure and hosted several high-profile national and international competitions across disciplines, particularly hockey and athletics.
The Kalinga Stadium complex in Bhubaneswar has emerged as the centrepiece of the state’s sporting ecosystem, equipped with modern facilities capable of hosting elite international competitions.
