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India is one of six countries that have expressed interest in staging the 2038 Asian Games, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) confirmed on Friday. It is among the six nations that have bid to host the multi-sport game. It is also bidding for the 2036 Olympics and will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad.
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India among six nations bid to host 2038 Asian Games; OCA gives timeline of decision
Meanwhile, for the Asian Games, a final decision on the host is not expected before 2028. Speaking ahead of the opening of the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, OCA Director General Husain Al-Musallam, in a press conference, said the organisation had received interest from India, the Philippines and four other nations. He said:
“We have received interest from India, from Philippines and from other four countries to host the Asian Games in 2038. This shows the popularity of the Asian Games.”
The timeline he provided is long. Al-Musallam said:
"Based on the initial report, we will have a short list and then go for another visit nine or 10 years before 2038 and then submit the final report (recommending the host).”
The OCA will form an evaluation committee to visit the interested countries next year and produce an initial report. A shortlist will follow, with a further assessment planned nine or ten years before the event before a host is recommended.
The bid forms part of the country’s wider push to stage major multi-sport events. South Korea, which first signalled interest in 2021 with Gwangju and Daegu as proposed venues, and Mongolia are among the other nations understood to be in contention. Doha will host the 2030 edition and Riyadh the 2034 Games, both awarded in 2020.
India previously staged the Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951, the inaugural edition, and again in 1982. Meanwhile, the Asian Games are all set to kick off on September 19, with their official opening ceremony in Japan. India has already started its campaign on 17 September in Teqball and is already looking to make history in the debut game as the country looks for its first medal.
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