India hosting the World Para Athletics Championships 2025 is a moment that many thought would never happen. For a long time, the country has treated para-sports with indifference, at times even contempt. Not long ago, in May 2021, the national athletics championships were held under farcical conditions. Videos of athletes competing in shot put events using mobile flashlights and car headlights went viral, showing how little attention these sports received.
Across other sports, outside cricket, events have often been organized just to tick boxes. Planning seemed half-hearted, as if getting the event done was more important than doing it well. Historically, India has lacked the systems, infrastructure, and preparation needed to host large international sports events. Yet, here we are, ready to host the World Para Athletics Championships 2025, one of the biggest events in para-sports history.
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A Huge Opportunity and a Test for India
The World Para Athletics Championships 2025 is no small event. It involves roughly 1,500 athletes from 107 countries. But beyond the numbers, this event matters because it is part of India’s long-term plan to show the world that it can host top-tier global sporting events, ultimately leading to ambitions like the Olympic Games and Paralympics in 2036. A mistake now could set that plan back by years.
Thankfully, there are signs of change. India’s track record in big sports events, especially para-sports, has been poor, but recent years have seen improvement. One major reason is the increasing success of Indian para-athletes. In early World Championships, India won no medals, but over time, the numbers have grown: 1, 2, 5, 9, 10, and most recently, 17 medals in Kobe in 2024. Success on the field has driven more resources, attention, and money into para-sports.
Another positive sign is the leadership of Devendra Jhajharia, one of India’s greatest sportspersons and the current president of the Paralympic Committee of India. After India’s historic performance at the Paris Paralympics, Jhajharia set ambitious goals, including making sports accessible in 600 districts nationwide. He has emphasized that hosting the World Para Athletics Championships 2025 in Delhi is a long-term investment and “only the beginning” of a larger vision for para-sports.
World-Class Facilities and Inclusive Spectator Experience
The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium has been upgraded to meet global standards ahead of the World Para Athletics Championships 2025. A new Mondotrack, designed for Olympic-level competitions, now features light and dark blue lanes to help visually impaired athletes. Toilets have been adapted for wheelchair users, and overall, the stadium has been made more para-friendly for both athletes and spectators. While one state-of-the-art stadium is just the first step, it is a critical foundation for India’s ambitions in hosting world-class events.
Spectators will play an important role in the World Para Athletics Championships 2025. Historically, athletics in India has not been a spectator sport, and even cricket often treats fans as secondary. For the Para Worlds, the goal must be to create an inclusive experience that allows differently-abled spectators to engage fully. Experiencing live competitions can inspire differently-abled individuals, showing them what is possible and creating lasting motivation.
For Indian athletes, competing at home in the World Para Athletics Championships 2025 is a chance to prove their skills on familiar soil. Many of these athletes are not household names and often fade from public memory outside the Paralympics. Hosting a home World Championships gives them a platform to make a lasting impact, which can also inspire fans and future athletes.
Jhajharia himself has stressed the importance of proper planning. Athletes need smooth travel, quality hotels, and world-class training and competition facilities. This event is the biggest of their lives outside the Paralympics, and every detail must reflect its significance. India must aim to match, or even exceed, standards seen in recent Tokyo or Paris events. With social media and live coverage, the world will be watching closely. The responsibility lies with organizers to rise to the occasion and deliver the World Para Athletics Championships 2025 worthy of global attention.
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Source: ESPN
