NEW DELHI: Between January 2025 and June 2026, India will host 36 international sporting events in more than 15 cities. In the next six months, 11 more events are planned while already securing the hosting rights for 19 events from 2027 to 2028. This includes the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifier, Wushu Commonwealth Championship and Asia Para Cup Leg 2 in Archery, all in Ahmedabad which is India’s bid city for the 2036 Summer Olympics.At the recent International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session, the redesigned host selection process was approved. In 2024, India had submitted its letter of intent to host the 2036 Games.According to the new process under the presidency of Kirsty Coventry, the host 2036 will be revealed after a vote in the middle of 2029. Instead of the Sports ministry, the onus of leading India’s push will be on 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 Targeted Dialogue with the relevant parties. During the Strategic Dialogue phase, candidate cities must provide “core financial guarantees” among other requirements.Candidate cities must also meet criteria related to cost control, and provide timelines for the completion of project stages among other aspects. India is currently in the Continuous Dialogue stage.Other countries that have shown interest in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics and Paralympics are Qatar, Turkey and South Africa.“The facilities will be of the highest standard”Another event of note in the next six months is the BWF World Championship at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi from August 17. The venue had faced criticism in January during the India Open for poor infrastructure and lack of hygiene 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] he is following the preparations,” clarified a source following the developments.After the India Open, the sports ministry had 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 the venues.