New Delhi [India], April 21 : Tashkent has been confirmed as the host city for the 2027 World Para Athletics Championships, marking the first time the prestigious competition will be staged in Uzbekistan and the wider Central Asian region.
The announcement was made by World Para Athletics, which confirmed that the world's largest single para-sport event will be held at the Olympic City Main Stadium in June 2027, according to the World Para Athletics website.
Tashkent 2027 will be the 13th edition of the World Para Athletics Championships and the fifth time the event is hosted in Asia, following Doha 2015, Dubai 2019, Kobe 2024 and New Delhi 2025.
With an expected participation of around 1,300 athletes from more than 100 nations, the championships are set to become the largest international Para sport event ever hosted in the country.
While the final number of events is yet to be confirmed, the programme will include at least 164 events, aligned with the Paralympic Games programme, with the possibility of additional events.
Paul Fitzgerald, Head of World Para Athletics, welcomed the announcement, highlighting the significance of the event for both the nation and the region.
"We are delighted to announce that the 2027 World Para Athletics Championships will take place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. This will be the largest international Para sport event ever to take place in the nation, opening doors for massive opportunities to grow our sport, our fan base, and to impact society's perception of persons with disabilities in Central Asia," he said.
Fitzgerald also praised Uzbekistan's recent progress in Para athletics.
"Over the past few years, Uzbekistan has established themselves as an emerging Asian nation in Para athletics. Their athletes have shown increasing results at World Championships and Paralympics, reflecting the efforts of the National Paralympic Committee of Uzbekistan in developing facilities and investing in sport. We are confident the upcoming World Championships will leave a legacy not only in the country but across the region."
"We are pleased to welcome talented athletes and future champions. This is a special opportunity to demonstrate our country's hospitality and commitment to sport", said Dr. Mukhtorkhon Tashkhodjaev, Chairman of NPC Uzbekistan.
The most recent edition of the World Para Athletics Championships was held in New Delhi, India, where more than 1,000 athletes from over 100 nations competed in 186 medal events.
Brazil topped the medals table, while Uzbekistan finished inside the top 15 with five gold medals.
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