World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026: New Delhi Hosts 257 Athletes from Eight Nations

Add as a preferred source on Google

New Delhi, March 10: The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) on Tuesday (March 10) inaugurated the second edition of the New Delhi 2026 World Para Athletics Grand Prix at the Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium, with around 257 athletes from eight nations set to compete in the international event from March 11 to 13 in the national capital.

The three-day competition will feature participants from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Hong Kong, Serbia, Bosnia, Egypt, and Neutral Para Athletes, making it one of the key international para athletics events being hosted in India this year.

India will field the largest contingent of approximately 219 athletes, competing across several track and field classifications, highlighting the country's growing depth in para athletics.

Top Indian Para Stars in Action

The Grand Prix is expected to feature several of India's leading para athletes, including Paralympic champions Mariyappan Thangavelu, Sumit Antil, and Praveen Kumar.

The Indian line-up also includes Paralympic medallists Ajeet Singh and Devendra Singh Gurjar, multiple Asian Para Games medallist Ankur Dhama, T12 sprinter Simran, who won gold at the 2025 World Championships, and Preeti Pal, who made history at the Paris 2024 Paralympics by becoming the first Indian woman to win two track and field medals at a single Paralympic Games.

Their participation is expected to make the Grand Prix a strong platform for India's para athletes as they prepare for upcoming international competitions.

Strengthening India's Para Sports Ecosystem

Speaking at the inauguration, Devendra Jhajharia, President of the Paralympic Committee of India, said the event reflects India's growing stature in global para sport.

"The New Delhi World Para Athletics Grand Prix reflects India's growing stature in global para sport. Hosting athletes from across the world while providing Indian athletes with valuable international competition on home soil is an important step in strengthening the country's para athletics ecosystem," Jhajharia said.

Global Recognition for India's Para Athletics Progress

Paul Fitzgerald, President of World Para Athletics, praised India's efforts in developing infrastructure and hosting international competitions.

"World Para Athletics are excited to return to New Delhi one year after the inaugural Grand Prix and five months after hosting the World Championships. The investment into JLN Stadium has already proven to have benefits for the current team of Indian athletes with a record medal haul in 2026," Fitzgerald said.

He added that events like the Grand Prix will provide a crucial platform for athletes preparing for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games and will also help strengthen grassroots development of para sports.

Accessibility Takes Centre Stage

The inauguration also marked the participation of Svayam as the Official Accessibility Partner of the event, reinforcing the commitment to creating inclusive sporting environments.

Svayam conducted an accessibility review of the venue and helped arrange customised transport solutions to ensure smooth mobility for athletes, officials, and participants.

Speaking at the event, Sminu Jindal highlighted the importance of accessible infrastructure for sports development in India.

"Para athletes have been performing significantly better than able-bodied athletes in major international events such as the Asian Games and Olympic Games. As India prepares to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and bid for the 2036 Olympic Games, our para athletes have the ability to increase our medal tally and strengthen India's global parasports ecosystem," she said.

She also emphasised the need for accessible infrastructure in schools, transport systems, and training facilities to identify and nurture young para sporting talent across the country.