According to a report by The Indian Express, the proposal has already been communicated to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has taken initial steps by formally reaching out to the OCA earlier this month.
The proposal was also discussed during the OCA Executive Board meeting held in Sanya, China. As part of the process, the OCA is expected to send an evaluation team to assess India’s infrastructure capabilities.
IOA CEO Raghuram Iyer confirmed the development, stating, “We are interested in bringing the Asian Games to India. We are in touch with the OCA and have written to them expressing our interest. We will be in dialogue with the OCA.”
Timeline and hosting opportunities
The upcoming editions of the Asian Games have already been allocated. Aichi-Nagoya will host the event this year, followed by Doha in 2030 and Riyadh in 2034. This makes 2038 the next available edition for hosting, opening a window for new bidders like India.
India’s hosting history
India has hosted the Asian Games twice in the past, both times in New Delhi. The first was the inaugural edition in 1951, followed by the 1982 Asian Games. These events played a key role in developing sports infrastructure in the country at the time.
While no official host city has been announced, reports suggest that Ahmedabad could be a strong contender. The city is already preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and is central to India’s proposed bid for the 2036 Olympics. In line with these plans, the Gujarat government has been investing in sports infrastructure and facilities in and around the city.
Competition for hosting rights
India is not the only country interested in hosting the 2038 Asian Games. Mongolia and South Korea are also expected to compete for the rights. The final decision will depend on multiple factors, including infrastructure readiness, organisational capability and evaluation reports by the OCA team.