Bhubaneswar, April 4: In a historic moment for Odisha, the state's Minister for Sports & Youth Services, Suryavanshi Suraj, today presented the ceremonial World Athletics flag to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at Kalinga Stadium. This marks a significant step as Odisha prepares to host the prestigious World Athletics Indoor Championships in 2028. The event, scheduled from March 3 to 5, 2028, will be the first time India hosts a global track and field championship of this magnitude.
The World Athletics flag was officially handed over to Ravinder Choudhry of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and Sports Secretary Bhupendra Singh Poonia in Poland, symbolizing India's official appointment as the host. Following the flag handover, CM Majhi expressed that this event represents more than just a competition—it is a moment of legacy. "As the countdown to 2028 begins, this flag stands as a symbol of ambition, pride, and a commitment to the world that both India and Odisha are ready," he stated.
In a landmark announcement, the World Athletics Indoor Championships 2028 hosting rights were formally revealed in Poland by Sebastian Coe during the 240th World Athletics Council Meeting in Torun. This event places Odisha on the global athletics map, with its selection underscoring the state's growing reputation in sports.
The World Athletics Indoor Championships is one of the most esteemed events in global track and field, bringing together elite athletes to compete at the highest level under indoor conditions. For Odisha, hosting this championship is not just an opportunity but a chance to showcase India’s evolving sporting infrastructure, organisational excellence, and potential on the world stage.
