India set to bid for 2029 World Athletics Championships

India is set to bid for the hosting rights of the 2029 World Athletics Championships after dropping the initial idea of bidding for the 2027 World Championships.

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) was earlier considering to bid for the hosting rights of the 2027 World Athletics Championships but it is now learnt that it has dropped the plan and is instead looking to host the 2029 edition.

"Yes, we are interested in bidding for the 2029 World Athletics Championships," AFI senior Vice President Anju Bobby George told PTI, on the sidelines on the sidelines of the AFI Annual General Body meeting.

"India has expressed interest to host the 2036 Olympics and 2030 Youth Olympics. So, it will be very good if we can host the 2029 World Athletics Championships," said the legendary long jumper.

Earlier in August, Olympic Champion Neeraj Chopra claimed that India is ready to bid for the 2027 World Championships.

“India is bidding for the 2027 edition. Hopefully, Indian fans will turn up in great numbers and I will request the fans to come and watch it,” Neeraj had said during the Zurich Diamond League meet.

The time period for the formal bidding for the 2029 World Athletics Championships is not known yet.

The World Athletics has published the bidding timeline for the 2027 World Athletics Championships -- which began early this year -- but not for the 2029 edition.

The last edition of the World Athletics Championships was held in Budapest, Hungary in August and the next one will be held in 2025 in Tokyo.