India bid to host World Athletics U20 Championships 2028, says WA chief Sebastian Coe

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India has officially entered the race to host the World Athletics U20 Championships, according to World Athletics (WA) President Sebastian Coe. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) submitted a "letter of intent" to bid for the prestigious event, a move Coe warmly welcomed.

This announcement comes after WA's invitation for bids to host the 2028 and 2030 editions of the Championships, with India now in the running.

"I'm pleased to say that I take home a declaration of intent, a letter of application to join the bidding discussions for the 2028 Under-20 World Championships," Coe said, underscoring the positive momentum in India's bid. The former middle-distance champion expressed his satisfaction with India's involvement, marking an important step forward for the country's growing interest in athletics.

The 2028 Championships would be a significant opportunity for India to showcase its capabilities in organising global sporting events. Coe noted that the country's enthusiasm for sports infrastructure development, alongside its track record in hosting major events, positions it as a promising candidate.

In addition to discussions around the Championships, Coe also met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya during his visit, signalling the importance of India's role in international athletics.

Coe's visit to India also included meetings with Tata Communications, the broadcast rights holders for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships, which will take place in 2026. The event will feature top athletes and is expected to further cement India's status on the global athletics stage.

In his broader discussions, Coe also touched upon the challenges faced by athletes, especially concerning mental health. "We have athletes that are, quite rightly, more demanding around issues like welfare and mental health," he remarked. As a potential candidate for the position of International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Coe emphasized that athletes would remain central to all policy decisions if he were to assume the role.

Addressing controversies surrounding the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports, Coe called for clear policies that would help federations navigate such complex issues. His leadership at World Athletics has been marked by a focus on consensus-building, reflecting his broader vision for the future of sports governance.

With the bidding process for the World Athletics U20 Championships now underway, India's intentions have sparked a new wave of excitement about its growing influence in global athletics.