Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Revamped as Delhi Hosts 12th World Para Athletics Championships

New Delhi | September 26, 2025 Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium has undergone a major transformation as India prepares to host the 12th edition of the World Para Athletics Championships from September 27 to October 5. The upgrades, which include modern tracks, accessible facilities, and enhanced competition areas, reflect India’s rising stature in global para-sports. For athletes like Paralympic silver medallist Pranav Soorma, the changes are already evident. “Earlier it was tough to push my wheelchair over potholes and bumps, but now I can move smoothly without needing much help,” said Soorma, who competes in the club throw event. The renovations are comprehensive. The stadium now features two brand new Mondo tracks—one in the main arena and another in the warm-up area—ensuring athletes have international-standard surfaces to compete on. Twenty washrooms have been fully redesigned for accessibility, while another 20 have been made semi-accessible. Eight new lifts have been installed to aid mobility across different levels of the stadium. In the competition zones, the long jump pit has been extended on both sides to reduce risks for visually impaired athletes, and the throwing platforms for wheelchair athletes have been rebuilt to modern standards. “This championship will leave behind infrastructure that allows us to host any para tournament in the future,” said Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) president Devendra Jhajharia, himself a former world champion. He noted that the stadium also houses a new para-equipped gym, further boosting training opportunities. The event is historic for India, marking the first time the country is hosting a para athletics competition of this scale. Around 2,200 participants, including athletes, coaches, and officials from across the globe, are expected. More than 60 buses—20 of them wheelchair-enabled—have been deployed to provide accessible transport between stadiums and hotels. Fourteen hotels across Delhi have been designated to host participants, each outfitted with ramps and other accessibility features. India’s growing profile in para-sports played a key role in securing hosting rights. From winning just four medals at the 2016 Paralympics, India’s tally surged to 19 in 2021 and 29 last year. At the World Championships, India claimed 10 medals in 2023 and 17 the following year. Paul Fitzgerald, president of World Para Athletics, said the decision to bring the event to India was influenced by the country’s remarkable progress and the need to expand para-sports into new regions. Behind the scenes, the PCI has been preparing for months. “Unlike the World Athletics Championships, which have 49 events, the para version has more than 180. We have trained over 150 officials with WPA experts for six months to ensure smooth conduct,” Jhajharia explained. As final preparations wrapped up this week, the stadium resembled a festive venue, buzzing with anticipation. For Jhajharia, the moment is deeply personal. “When I won my first World Championship gold in 2013, I dreamed of such a day. Hosting it here feels like destiny,” he said. He believes the championship will inspire a new generation of para-athletes. “This event can change how para-sport is viewed in India. It will encourage young athletes and strengthen India’s bid to host future mega-events, including the 2036 Olympics,” he Delhi Gears Up for World Para Athletics Championships The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi has been given a major facelift ahead of the 12th World Para Athletics Championships from September 27 to October 5. The upgrades include two brand new Mondo tracks, 20 fully accessible washrooms, eight lifts, a modern gym, and revamped competition areas such as extended long jump pits and improved throwing platforms. Around 2,200 participants, including athletes and officials, are set to take part, with accessible transport and hotels arranged across the city. Hosting this event marks a milestone for India’s growing presence in global para-sports and sets the stage for future mega tournaments.