NEW DELHI: Between January 2025 and June 2026, India is hosting 36 international sporting events in over 15 cities. In the next six months, 11 more events are planned while the rights to host 19 events from 2027 to 2028 have already been secured. Among them are the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifier, the Wushu Commonwealth Championship and the Asia Para Cup Leg 2 in Archery, all in Ahmedabad, India’s bid city for the 2036 Summer Olympics.In the recently held International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session, the process of choosing the host was approved which was redrawn. In 2024, India submitted its letter of intent to host the 2036 Games.According to the new process under the presidency of Kirsty Coventry, the 2036 host will be revealed after the vote in mid-2029. Instead of the sports ministry, the responsibility to lead India’s push lies with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the Gujarat Government and the athletes.The IOC added a strategic Dialogue phase between the Continuous Dialogue and the final stages of the Targeted Dialogue with the relevant parties. During the Strategic Dialogue stage, candidate cities must provide “core financial guarantees” among other requirements.Candidate cities must also meet criteria related to cost control, and provide timelines for completing project milestones among other aspects. India is now in the stage of Continuous Dialogue.Other countries that have shown interest in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics and Paralympics are Qatar, Turkey and South Africa.“The facilities will be top standard”Another event of note in the next six months is the BWF World Championships at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi from August 17. The venue faced criticism in January during the India Open for poor infrastructure and lack of cleanliness as bird droppings and stray monkeys visited.“The aim is to ensure that the facilities are of the highest standard. The minister: [sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya] the tracking of preparations,” clarified a source following the developments.After the India Open, the sports ministry stepped in to establish protocols for the maintenance of Sports Authority of India (SAI) infrastructure, such as the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, including a quarterly review of venues.