India is all set to host its largest-ever Para sporting spectacle, the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships, from September 27 to October 5 at the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here. This edition represents a milestone in India’s ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity and boost both interest and viewership in 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 biggest Para sporting event ever held in the country.
Paul Fitzgerald, head of World Para Athletics (WPA), said the championships will captivate the Indian audience, inspiring them to watch, participate and further fuel the nation’s passion for Para sports, especially athletics.
“Choosing India to host this event is especially significant amid the current momentum in global Para sports. India has nurtured and transformed Para sports over the past decade, making incredible strides, not just in performance, but also in the support for athletes and the spirit of inclusivity. This truly makes India the ideal host for a championship of this scale,” Fitzgerald said.
He added, “The growth of Para athletics here is 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 highlights the tremendous efforts of the Paralympic Committee of India and the investments made, not only in infrastructure but also in fostering growing recognition and support for inclusivity.”
Speaking at the launch of the 2025 WPAC logo and mascot ‘Viraaj’, Fitzgerald said, “New Delhi 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most engaging and inclusive World Championships ever. PCI’s vision and India’s energy are truly inspiring, and we can’t wait to see this event come to life.”
“This prestigious championship will not only elevate India’s standing on the global sports map but also accelerate the Paralympic movement within 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,” he said.
Ahead of the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships, the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) is overhauling the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to provide world-class facilities for Para athletes. A new Mondo track, installed by the same company responsible for the surfaces at the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, ensures Indian athletes compete on one of the best tracks globally.
Para sports in India have witnessed a surge in both popularity and performance. The momentum began at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, where India claimed its best-ever medal haul of 19 medals (five gold, eight silver and six bronze). This was surpassed at Paris 2024, where India secured 29 medals, including seven gold, nine silver and 13 bronze, taking the nation past the 50-medal milestone in Paralympic history.
The 2025 World Para Athletics Championships will mark the first time India hosts this prestigious tournament. The expanded competition program features 184 medal events, 100 for men, 83 for women and one mixed event, three more than the previous edition in Kobe, reflecting the growing scale and ambition of Para athletics in India.