New Delhi: Between January 2025 and June 2026, India hosted 36 international sporting events in more than 15 cities. A further 11 events are planned over the next six months, while rights have been secured for 19 events in 2027-2028. These include the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, the Martial Arts Commonwealth Championships and the second stage of the Asian Disability Cup Archery, all held in Ahmedabad, the city where India is bidding to host the 2036 Summer Olympics.At the recent International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting, a reworked host selection process was adopted. In 2024, India submitted a letter of intent to host the 2036 Olympics.Under a new process under chair Kirsty Coventry, the 2036 hosts will be announced after the 2029 mid-term vote. The onus of leading sport in India will fall on the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the Gujarat government and athletes, rather than the sports ministry.The IOC has added a strategic dialogue phase between the ongoing dialogue with relevant parties and the final goal dialogue phase. During the strategic dialogue stage, candidate cities will have to provide “core financial guarantees,” among other requirements.Candidate cities must also meet criteria related to cost control and provide a timeline for completing project milestones, among other things. India is currently in an ongoing dialogue phase.Other countries that have expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics and Paralympics include Qatar, Türkiye and South Africa.“The facilities will be of the highest standard”Another event of note in the next six months is the Badminton World Championships on August 17 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. The venue was criticized for poor infrastructure, poor sanitation, bird droppings and visits from stray monkeys during the India Open in January.“Our aim is to ensure facilities are of the highest standard. Minister [sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya] Preparations are being tracked,” a source following the developments clarified.After the India Open, the Sports Ministry stepped in to formulate maintenance protocols for Sports Authority of India (SAI) infrastructure such as the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, including quarterly reviews of the venues.
