Chennai is poised to host the 2029 Asian Athletics Championships, with the Asian Athletics Association (AAA) giving an in-principle nod to the Tamil Nadu capital during its council meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday.

However, the formal announcement is pending the submission of financial and other guarantees from the state government.

Asian Athletics Championship 2029: Chennai - A potential Host

Tamil Nadu Athletics Association official C Latha, who is currently in Tokyo as part of the Indian contingent, confirmed that the presentation had been made before the continental body's council. She said the AAA had sought the necessary assurances from the state government before officially awarding the hosting rights to Chennai.

"We have made the presentation and the Asian Athletics Association (AAA) asked us to submit the financial and other guarantees from the state government. The AAA said they will award the 2029 Asian Championships to Chennai once they get the guarantees," Latha told PTI from Tokyo.

"We are hoping to get the guarantees tomorrow from our state government. So, the final decision is expected to come tomorrow," she added.

World Athletics Vice President and Athletics Federation of India (AFI) spokesperson Adille Sumariwalla was also present at the 107th AAA Council meeting in Tokyo. He backed the development, confirming that Chennai would be awarded the championships once the required letters of guarantee were submitted by the state government.

If confirmed, this will be the third occasion that India hosts the continental athletics showpiece. The country previously staged the championships in Pune in 2013 and Bhubaneswar in 2017. Chennai is expected to host the 28th edition of the biennial competition.

The 27th edition of the Asian Athletics Championships is scheduled to take place in Xiamen, China, from May 28 to June 2, 2027.

India is also preparing to host several major international athletics events over the next few years. Chandigarh is scheduled to stage the Asian Relays Championships in August 2027, while Bhubaneswar will host both the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships and the World Indoor Athletics Championships in 2028.

Additionally, India has entered the race to host the World U20 Athletics Championships in Ahmedabad in 2028, underlining the country's growing ambitions as an international athletics destination.

Story first published: Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 7:38 [IST]

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