The Paralympic Committee of India and the Cerebral Palsy Sports Federation of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding in New Delhi to jointly pursue India’s bid to host the 2029 World Abilitysport Games. The proposed event is expected to bring together more than 1,500 athletes, team officials, and support personnel from member nations across the world. Chennai and Bhubaneswar have been shortlisted as potential host cities for this premier international multi-sport event for athletes with physical disabilities.
What Are the World Abilitysport Games?
The World Abilitysport Games are a biennial international multi-sport event for athletes with physical disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs or are amputees. The Games are organized by World Abilitysport, a global body formed in 2023 through the merger of the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) and the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA).
The Games trace their lineage to the Stoke Mandeville Games, which were first organized in 1948 by neurologist Sir Ludwig Guttmann at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury, England, as a sporting competition for World War II veterans with spinal cord injuries. In 1952, Dutch athletes joined the competition, making it an international event and leading to its renaming as the International Stoke Mandeville Games. These early Games are widely recognized as the forerunner of the modern Paralympic Games.
The event has undergone several name changes over the decades:
| Period | Name |
|---|---|
| 1948-1951 | Stoke Mandeville Games |
| 1952-1995 | International Stoke Mandeville Games |
| 1997-2003 | World Wheelchair Games |
| 2005-2007 | World Wheelchair and Amputee Games |
| 2009-2022 | IWAS World Games |
| 2023 onwards | World Abilitysport Games |
India last hosted the Games in its earlier avatar as the IWAS World Games in Bengaluru in 2009. The 2023 edition was held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, as the first edition under the new World Abilitysport name.
The Games programme for 2029 is expected to feature disciplines including Para Athletics, Para Swimming, Para Badminton, Para Fencing, CP Football, Para Table Tennis, and Para Wheelchair Basketball (3-a-side). The event provides opportunities for athletes in under-23, open, and masters (over 40 years) categories to compete at the international level.
The Strategic Partnership Behind India’s Bid
The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) was founded in 1992 as the Physically Handicapped Sports Federation of India and later renamed to its current name. It is the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) for India, affiliated with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC), and recognized by the Government of India. The PCI is headquartered in New Delhi and is responsible for selecting athletes to represent India at the Paralympic Games and other international meets. Its current president is Devendra Jhajharia, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist in javelin throw (Athens 2004 and Rio 2016) and a Padma Bhushan awardee.
The Cerebral Palsy Sports Federation of India (CPSFI) is a National Sports Federation (NSF) recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. It is the apex body in India for promoting sports among persons with cerebral palsy and related neurological conditions. CPSFI is headed by Rajesh Tomar, who also serves as a member of the World Abilitysport Council. CPSFI organizes national championships in CP Football, Para Athletics, Boccia, and other sports, and has sent athletes to international competitions including the IWAS World Games.
The MoU establishes a strategic partnership between PCI and CPSFI to jointly prepare and submit a competitive bid to World Abilitysport. The collaboration merges PCI’s experience in managing India’s Paralympic contingent with CPSFI’s specialized expertise in cerebral palsy sports. Together, the two bodies will coordinate with the Government of India, prospective state governments, and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive bid proposal covering infrastructure, accessibility, accommodation, transport, and overall Games readiness.
Chennai and Bhubaneswar: Two Cities in the Race
Two Indian cities have emerged as contenders to host the 2029 World Abilitysport Games, each with distinct advantages.
Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, has been developing dedicated para-sports infrastructure in recent years. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai is undergoing work to establish a multi-sport para-sports facility with space for 11 disciplines, including para table tennis, para judo, goalball, wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, and boccia. The Tamil Nadu Paralympic Sports Association has been active in organizing national-level para-athletics championships and promoting grassroots participation in disability sports across the state.
Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, has rapidly emerged as India’s premier sports destination. The city’s Kalinga Stadium has hosted numerous international events, including the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, the Asian Athletics Championships, and the World Athletics Continental Tour. Odisha has been chosen to host the World Athletics Indoor Championships in 2028, the first time this event will be held in India. The state government has a dedicated sports policy that prioritises accessibility and inclusion, making Bhubaneswar a strong candidate.
Discussions with the respective state governments will assess sporting infrastructure, accessibility standards, accommodation capacity, transportation links, government support, and overall Games readiness before the final host city is recommended to World Abilitysport.
India’s Paralympic Rise: A Broader Context
India’s bid to host the 2029 World Abilitysport Games comes at a time when the country’s para-sport movement is on an upward trajectory. India delivered its most successful Paralympic performance at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, winning 29 medals (7 gold, 9 silver, 13 bronze) and finishing 18th in the overall standings. This marked a significant jump from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, where India had won 19 medals (5 gold, 8 silver, 6 bronze).
For context, in the five decades before 2020, India had won only 31 Paralympic medals in total. The dramatic improvement reflects sustained government support through schemes such as the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), increased corporate sponsorship, better coaching infrastructure, and growing societal awareness about disability sports.
Devendra Jhajharia, the PCI president, described hosting the 2029 Games as a potential major milestone that would give Indian para-athletes the opportunity to compete at the highest level on home soil while showcasing India’s ability to deliver a world-class international para multi-sport event.
What Hosting the Games Would Mean for India
Hosting the 2029 World Abilitysport Games would mark the first time India welcomes this event in two decades, following the 2009 IWAS World Games in Bengaluru. The impact would span multiple dimensions:
For Para Sports Development: The Games would provide Indian athletes with a home-ground advantage at a major international competition, reducing travel costs and allowing more athletes across more classifications to participate. The event can serve as a qualifying pathway for future Paralympic Games and World Championships.
For Infrastructure and Accessibility: Preparing for the Games would accelerate the development of accessible sports infrastructure in the host city. This includes wheelchair-friendly stadiums, accessible transport systems, and barrier-free accommodation. These improvements would leave a lasting legacy for persons with disabilities long after the Games conclude.
For Social Inclusion: A major international para-sport event can shift public perceptions about disability. When citizens witness elite athletes with disabilities competing at the highest level, it challenges stereotypes and promotes a more inclusive society. Rajesh Tomar, the CPSFI president, noted that the bid aims to inspire thousands of persons with disabilities to pursue sport as a pathway to excellence.
For Sports Tourism and Diplomacy: The Games would attract participants and spectators from member nations across the world, boosting sports tourism and strengthening India’s reputation as a destination for international sporting events. CPSFI’s Tomar also highlighted the opportunity to build technical expertise, develop volunteer capacity, and showcase India’s growing leadership in the global Paralympic movement.
Key Takeaways
- The Paralympic Committee of India and the Cerebral Palsy Sports Federation of India signed an MoU to jointly bid for the 2029 World Abilitysport Games.
- The Games are expected to host more than 1,500 athletes, team officials, and support personnel.
- Chennai and Bhubaneswar are the two cities under consideration as potential host cities.
- The World Abilitysport Games evolved from the Stoke Mandeville Games founded in 1948 by Sir Ludwig Guttmann, which are considered the forerunner of the Paralympic Games.
- India previously hosted the Games in 2009 in Bengaluru when it was known as the IWAS World Games.
- India delivered its best-ever Paralympic performance at Paris 2024 with 29 medals, up from 19 medals at Tokyo 2020, reflecting the rapid growth of para sports in the country.
