World Para Athletics chief praises India ahead of 2025 championships

India will host its biggest ever Para sporting event, the IndianOil New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships, from September 27 to October 5. WPA chief Paul Fitzgerald hailed India’s rapid rise in Para sports and inclusivity efforts

Hyderabad: India is gearing up to host its biggest ever Para sporting event, the IndianOil New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships, from September 27 to October 5 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi.

This edition marks a landmark moment in India’s journey to promote inclusivity and boost the growing support and viewership for Para athletics. Over 2,200 athletes and support staff from 104 countries, including world champions and Paralympic medallists, will compete across 186 medal events, making it the largest Para sporting event ever held in the country.

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Head of World Para Athletics (WPA) Paul Fitzgerald said the championship will captivate the Indian audience, inspiring them to watch, participate and fuel the nation’s passion for Para sports, particularly athletics.

“Choosing India to host this event is significant amid the current momentum in global Para sports. India has nurtured and transformed Para sports over the past decade, making big strides not just in performance, but also in the support for athletes and the spirit of inclusivity,” he said.

Fitzgerald said the growth of Para athletics in India was remarkable, reflected in the journey from two silver medals at the Doha 2015 World Championships to 17 medals, including six gold, at last year’s Worlds in Kobe.

“This progress shows the efforts of the Paralympic Committee of India and the investments made not only in infrastructure but also in building support for inclusivity,” he said.

“This championship will not only elevate India’s standing on the global sports map but also accelerate the Paralympic movement in the country. It will empower athletes, expand opportunities and provide a platform for the world to come together, exchange ideas and compete on Indian soil,” Fitzgerald said.