Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) president Devendra Jhajharia announced on Friday that India will host the “best-ever” World Para Athletics Championships later this year, ensuring every effort is made to make the event a grand success. The World Para Athletics Championships will be hosted by India for the first time, from September 26 to October 5 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The event will see more than 2,500 athletes from over 100 countries competing for 186 medals. “It is going to be the biggest event in the history of para sports in India. Over 2,500 athletes and officials will be attending this event. It is a significant opportunity for India,” Jhajharia stated during a ceremony to unveil the tournament’s logo and mascot. “We will conduct the best-ever event in the history of Indian sports. The world will acknowledge that India has hosted the best event in the history of sports,” said Jhajharia, the first Indian to win two gold medals at the Paralympics. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is currently undergoing renovations, including the installation of a new track for the competition. Jhajharia assured that all preparations would be completed ahead of the championships. “The track and the entire Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will be ready a month before the tournament. We are meticulously attending to every detail, including providing the best boarding facilities for all athletes and delegations from around the world. The work is progressing as planned. All athletes and delegates will be accommodated in the best hotels in the city,” he said. Jhajharia added that the championships would inspire a generation of Indian para athletes. “The host country automatically benefits. New players will have the opportunity to watch the world’s top stars in para athletics. It will also send a strong message that India is ready to host the 2036 Olympics and Paralympics.” The ceremony on Friday, which also marked the start of a 100-day countdown to the tournament, was attended by the Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta as the chief guest, Delhi’s Education and Sports Minister Ashish Sood, BJP MP and Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, the event’s brand ambassador, and the head of World Para Athletics, Paul Fitzgerald, among others. (with PTI inputs)