In a landmark move for Indian athletics, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has officially submitted a bid to host the 2028 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships (AIAC) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. If successful, this will mark the first time in history that the prestigious continental event is held in South Asia.
The AFI has proposed the Kalinga Indoor Athletics Centre (KIAC) as the official venue. The state-of-the-art facility, built at a cost of ₹136 crore, is South Asia’s largest indoor athletics arena and has received World Athletics Category 1 certification — a testament to its world-class standards.
Odisha’s strong track record in organising major international sporting events adds considerable strength to India’s bid. The state has previously hosted the Asian Athletics Championships in 2017 and the FIH Hockey World Cup in 2023, both of which garnered global praise for their seamless execution and high-quality infrastructure.
Speaking on the development, AFI officials highlighted that the bid is a significant step in India’s broader sporting roadmap, which includes aspirations to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympic Games.
If approved, the 2028 AIAC would not only boost India’s sporting profile but also further establish Bhubaneswar as the nation’s sports capital, reinforcing its reputation as a global hub for athletic excellence.
