India hosting the World Para Athletics Championships feels almost like a scene from a sports fantasy. This is significant for a country that has often treated para sports with indifference, sometimes even disdain. As recently as May 2021, the national athletics championships were conducted in almost absurd conditions, with athletes competing under mobile phone flashlights and car headlights during the shot put event.

 

In many sports outside cricket, events have often seemed like box-ticking exercises, organized without real care or ambition. Looking at recent history, it is difficult to find evidence that India was prepared or willing to host a global sporting event at world-class standards. Yet this time, it appears the country is stepping up for a major challenge.

 

The World Para Athletics Championships is enormous on its own, bringing together roughly fifteen hundred athletes from over one hundred countries. On a bigger scale, it is part of a broader vision leading toward hosting the Olympic Games and Paralympics in 2036. Any misstep here could set back that long-term plan.

 

There are signs of progress. India’s track record with large sporting events has been problematic, and para sports even more so, but improvements are visible. Success on the field has driven greater attention and resources. India went from winning no medals in the first three para-athletics world championships to achieving one in the next two editions, then two, five, nine, ten, and finally seventeen in Kobe in 2024.

 

Leadership also plays a role. Devendra Jhajharia, president of the Paralympic Committee of India, has prioritized accessibility and growth since taking office. After India’s historic performance at the Paris Paralympics, he expressed a vision of creating accessible sporting facilities in hundreds of districts to tap grassroots talent. This week he emphasized the importance of the World Championships, describing it as a long-term investment and only the beginning of a larger movement.

 

Infrastructure upgrades reflect this vision. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium has been extensively renovated, including the installation of a new Mondotrack with visually contrasting lanes for athletes with visual impairments. Toilets and facilities have been made wheelchair-friendly, and the stadium has been adapted to enhance accessibility for both athletes and spectators.

 

While one modern, para-friendly stadium is a start, hosting a world-class event is the next crucial step. The scheduling, venue choices, and current stadium conditions show a commitment to delivering a quality experience. Unlike cricket venues, where spectator experience is often an afterthought, the Para Athletics Championships must prioritize accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring differently-abled fans can fully engage with the event.

 

The impact goes beyond infrastructure. The championships provide inspiration for differently-abled individuals to witness the achievements of elite para-athletes, gaining motivation from their stories and performances. These experiences leave a lasting impression, creating benefits that extend well beyond the sporting arena.