Chennai poised to host 2029 Asian Athletics Championships, marking India’s return as event host

Chennai set to host 2029 Asian Athletics Championships as India eyes major continental event

Chennai is closing in on the hosting rights for the 2029 Asian Athletics Championships, with the Asian Athletics Association (AAA) giving its approval in principle. The final decision is now dependent on the Tamil Nadu government’s submission of financial and administrative guarantees.

The proposal was considered during the AAA’s 107th council meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday. The governing body indicated that Chennai would be awarded the competition once the necessary assurances from the state government were received.

In its statement, the AAA said it was pleased to award the 2029 championships to Chennai, Tamil Nadu, subject to the presentation of government guarantee letters.

OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION EXPECTED SOON

C Latha, a senior official of the Tamil Nadu Athletics Association, confirmed that India’s presentation had been made before the continental body. She is currently in Tokyo as part of the Indian contingent.

Speaking to PTI, Latha said the AAA had requested financial and other guarantees from the state government before completing the process.

The documents were expected to be submitted on Wednesday, following which the official announcement could be made.

World Athletics Vice President and Athletics Federation of India (AFI) spokesperson Adille Sumariwalla was also present during the meeting. He backed the proposal and confirmed that Chennai would receive the hosting rights once the required assurances were provided.

THIRD TIME INDIA WILL HOST THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

If confirmed, the 2029 competition will be the third Asian Athletics Championships hosted by India.

Pune staged the continental event in 2013, while Bhubaneswar hosted it in 2017. Chennai will become the third Indian city to welcome the championships and host the 28th edition of the competition.

The next edition, the 27th in the series, is scheduled to take place in Xiamen, China, from May 28 to June 2, 2027.

BUSY INTERNATIONAL ATHLETICS CALENDAR AHEAD

India is steadily expanding its presence on the international athletics calendar, with several major competitions lined up over the next few years.

Chandigarh is scheduled to host the Asian Relays Championships in August 2027. Bhubaneswar will have an especially busy year in 2028, hosting both the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships and the World Indoor Athletics Championships.

India is also bidding to bring the World U20 Athletics Championships to Ahmedabad in 2028.

The proposed Chennai event would further strengthen India’s reputation as a host of international athletics competitions. It would also provide Indian athletes with an opportunity to compete in front of home supporters against some of the strongest competitors from across Asia.

With the state government’s guarantees still awaited, Chennai is now just one step away from bringing the prestigious continental championships back to India.