New Delhi World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026 Inaugurated

The Paralympic Committee of India inaugurated the second edition of the New Delhi World Para Athletics Grand Prix on Tuesday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The international para athletics competition will take place from March 11-13, 2026, bringing together around 257 athletes from eight nations.

The Grand Prix will feature athletes from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Hong Kong, Serbia, Bosnia, Egypt and Neutral Para Athletes. Team India will field the largest contingent, with approximately 219 athletes competing across multiple track and field classifications.

Several of India’s leading para athletes are expected to compete in the event, including Paralympic champions Mariyappan Thangavelu, Sumit Antil and Praveen Kumar. The Indian line-up will also include Paralympic medallists Ajeet Singh and Devendra Singh Gurjar, multiple Asian Para Games medallist Ankur Dhama, T12 sprinter Simran Sharma, the 2025 World Championships gold medallist, and Preeti Pal, who made history at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games by becoming the first Indian woman to win two track and field medals at a single Paralympics.

President of the Paralympic Committee of India, Devendra Jhajharia, spoke about the New Delhi World Para Athletics Grand Prix reflects India’s growing stature in global para sport. He noted that hosting athletes from across the world while providing Indian athletes with international competition on home soil is an important step in strengthening the country’s para athletics ecosystem.

Speaking at the event, Paul Fitzgerald, President of World Para Athletics, said the organisation was pleased to return to New Delhi 1 year after the inaugural Grand Prix and 5 months after hosting the World Para Athletics Championships 2025. He said the investment in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium has already benefited the current team of Indian athletes, contributing to a record medal haul in 2026. Fitzgerald expressed hope that the continuation of the Grand Prix will provide a platform for both existing and new athletes to prepare for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. He also highlighted the importance of support from the Government, commercial sponsors and the media in ensuring that para athletics remains visible across India. Reflecting on the occasion, Sminu Jindal emphasised the importance of accessibility in sport and public life, she said that making sporting infrastructure in schools, transport and training facilities accessible is essential to identify and support talented young para athletes who can represent India at the global level. Svayam joined the Grand Prix as the Official.

Accessibility Partner, supporting efforts to ensure inclusive and barrier-free access for athletes and participants.

As part of this role, the organisation conducted an accessibility review of the venue and supported customised transport arrangements to ensure smooth mobility for athletes, officials and participants.

With participation from several countries and many of India’s leading para athletes, the New Delhi 2026 World Para Athletics Grand Prix is expected to further strengthen India’s role in advancing global para sport while promoting accessible sporting infrastructure.