Gujarat Showcases Global Sporting Ambitions to World Athletics Delegation

GANDHINAGAR : Gujarat’s ambition to emerge as a global sporting destination received a major boost as a high-level delegation from World Athletics arrived in the state to assess its readiness for hosting some of the world’s biggest athletics events.

The five-member delegation, led by Antti Pihlakoski, is on a two-day visit to evaluate Gujarat’s sports infrastructure and facilities as part of the state’s bid to host the World Athletics U20 Championships in 2028 and the World Athletics Championships in 2031.

The visit began in Gandhinagar with a meeting attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi.

Expressing confidence in Gujarat’s preparations, Bhupendra Patel said the delegation would gain first-hand experience of the state’s sports culture and world-class facilities during the inspection. “Gujarat is committed to creating an ecosystem capable of successfully hosting international sporting events, and preparations for securing the 2031 World Athletics Championships are progressing at a rapid pace,” he said.

Harsh Sanghavi highlighted Gujarat’s growing sports infrastructure, stating that the state is fully prepared to host global competitions. “Facilities at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, Sardar Patel Sports Enclave, Narendra Modi Stadium and Karai Academy are being developed to international standards,” he noted.

The delegation will inspect key venues and assess infrastructure, logistics and event-hosting capabilities during its visit.

The presence of World Athletics officials is being viewed as a significant step in Gujarat’s efforts to position itself among the world’s leading sports destinations. If successful, the bids could place the state on the global athletics map and further strengthen India’s aspirations of hosting premier international sporting events.