World Athletics Sets Strategic Course for Asia with Bhubaneswar and Astana to Host Future Indoor Championships
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has articulated a clear strategic vision for the future of the sport, announcing that the next two World Athletics Indoor Championships will be held in Asia. Bhubaneswar, located in the eastern Indian state of Odisha, is slated to host the prestigious event in 2028, followed by the Kazakh capital, Astana, in 2030. This decision, Coe explained, is not arbitrary but the result of rigorous evaluations and a deliberate effort to cultivate significant markets for athletics.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the ongoing World Athletics Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland, Coe highlighted the immense potential of the Asian continent. He emphasized that Asia is a vast and diverse region, stretching from Qatar to the Philippines, and that the decision is not a monolithic approach but rather a nuanced engagement with different markets.
The selection process for both Bhubaneswar and Astana was described as “tough.” Coe elaborated that both cities proactively put forward their candidacies and subsequently underwent a stringent evaluation process. An independent panel assessed various critical factors, including the competence of the bidding entities, their integrity, the commercial opportunities presented, and the overarching strategic imperatives for World Athletics.
Tapping into Asia’s Growing Sports Landscape
Coe underscored the significant potential that Asia offers, particularly in terms of its burgeoning sports marketing landscape. With substantial populations, these regions present a fertile ground for growth and engagement. “We witness that in everything from cricket through to Formula One, now even the Premier League, you know it is where we need to be,” Coe remarked, drawing parallels with other globally popular sporting events and leagues that have found traction in Asia.
Regarding Bhubaneswar, Coe shared his personal familiarity with the city, having visited on several occasions. He described it as a major sporting hub within India, benefiting from strong political leadership. His previous experience attending the Asian Athletics Championships and witnessing events like the Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar reinforces its capability to host significant sporting events.
Turning his attention to Astana, Coe noted that Kazakhstan has identified athletics as its paramount strategic sport. Over the past six to seven years, the nation has invested in developing world-class indoor athletics facilities. This commitment, coupled with a demonstrated appetite to play a more prominent role in global athletics, makes Astana an appealing prospect for World Athletics. Coe specifically pointed out the importance of Central Asia as a region, suggesting that hosting events in Astana could unlock further opportunities for the sport’s expansion across these vital marketplaces.
A Stepping Stone for India’s Sporting Ambitions
The selection of Odisha for the 2028 World Athletics Indoor Championships arrives at a significant time for India’s sporting aspirations. It follows the recent confirmation of Amdavad (Ahmedabad), located in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state of Gujarat, as the host city for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. These Games are expected to feature a comprehensive track and field programme.
This development is widely perceived as a crucial stepping stone towards India’s long-held ambition of bidding to host the Olympic Games in 2036. It also presents an opportunity to build upon the legacy of sporting events in India, potentially overcoming the challenges faced during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, which were marred by construction delays and infrastructure issues.
When Amdavad was confirmed as the Commonwealth Games host, Coe had previously acknowledged India’s growing interest in hosting major global athletics events, including the long-term aspiration of hosting a World Athletics Championships and, eventually, the Olympic Games. He described this ambition as a “powerful sign of a nation thinking boldly about its sporting future.” The strategic placement of the World Athletics Indoor Championships in India and Kazakhstan signals a commitment to nurturing this bold vision and expanding the sport’s global footprint.
