India Hosts Exciting New Delhi World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026

India is set to host the 2026 New Delhi World Para Athletics Grand Prix with 257 athletes from eight nations. The event highlights India's growing prominence in global para-sports, featuring top Indian para-athletes like Mariyappan Thangavelu and Sumit Antil, offering crucial international classification slots.

India is poised to take its place on the global sporting stage once more, as the 2026 edition of the New Delhi World Para Athletics Grand Prix attracts around 257 athletes from eight nations, scheduled from March 11 to 13. This prestigious event in the national capital underlines the increasing international presence of para-athletics in India, spotlighting athletes from India, Russia, Nepal, Bhutan, Hong Kong, Serbia, Bosnia, and Egypt. With approximately 219 athletes, Team India constitutes the largest group, competing across a range of track-and-field events.

The competition will feature remarkable athletes such as Mariyappan Thangavelu, Sumit Antil, and Praveen Kumar, all distinguished Paralympians. Other notable members like Ajeet Singh and Devendra Singh Gurjar will partake, alongside emerging talents like Simran and Preeti Pal, who made her mark in the 2024 Paris Paralympics. This Grand Prix is anticipated to be a pivotal international platform for both elite and rising athletes, strengthening India's role in hosting global para-sport events.

For Indian competitors, the occasion also serves a special purpose, with 74 international classification slots available: 39 for physical impairments, 29 for vision impairments, and 6 for intellectual impairments. These slots are critical for athletes seeking to establish or confirm their international classifications, a key requirement for major global contests. Devendra Jhajharia, President of the Paralympic Committee of India, expressed pride in hosting such an event, emphasizing the opportunity for 219 Indian athletes to engage with top global para-athletes, expanding India's influence and accomplishments in the field.

(With inputs from agencies.)