Chennai to host 2029 Asian Athletics Championships
The city is expected to hold the event at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, subject to government financial guarantees.
Chennai is set to host the 2029 Asian Athletics Championships, according to a statement from the Asian Athletics Association (AAA) on Tuesday. The award is subject to the submission of financial and other government guarantees, reported by The New Indian Express.
Tamil Nadu Athletics Association (TNAA) chairman C Latha said the competition will likely take place in August. Latha, who attended the AAA council meeting in Tokyo, noted that the presentation for the bid was made online by Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) Member Secretary J Meghanatha Reddy.
The bid highlighted the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium's history of hosting international events and the availability of the Nehru ‘B’ ground for practice. Latha also mentioned the proximity of hotels and an international airport to the venue.
C.K. Valson, a member of the Competition Commission for Asian Athletics, recently reviewed the Nehru Stadium infrastructure. Latha said Valson expressed satisfaction with the track and practice ground, though he suggested adding LED screens, modifying seating, and creating VIP lounges.
The state government must now send a letter to the president of the Asian Athletics Federation confirming it will cover all hosting costs. Guarantees from the state government are expected to be submitted on Wednesday.
If successful, Chennai will be the fourth Indian city to host the meet, following New Delhi in 1989, Pune in 2013, and Bhubaneswar in 2017.