India is set to make sporting history this week. The country will host the Hyundai World Archery Para Series (WAPS) for the first time, bringing together more than 100 athletes from 20 countries over five days. The action unfolds at the iconic Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, running from September 5 to 9, 2026.
The Archery Association of India (AAI) is organising this landmark event, with support from the Government of Gujarat, the Sports Authority of Gujarat, and the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Competitors will battle it out across four categories: Recurve Open, Compound Open, W1, and Visually Impaired, showcasing the very best of international para-archery on Indian soil.
Quick Facts: Ahmedabad 2026 World Archery Para Series
- Event: Hyundai World Archery Para Series (WAPS) 2026, Stage 3
- Dates: September 5-9, 2026
- Venue: Sabarmati Riverfront, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- First time hosted in: India
- Athletes participating: 100+
- Countries represented: 20
- Categories: Recurve Open, Compound Open, W1, Visually Impaired
- Organised by: Archery Association of India (AAI)
- Supported by: Government of Gujarat, Sports Authority of Gujarat, Sports Authority of India
- Opening ceremony: September 4, 2026, The Forum – Hotel & Convention, Shela, Ahmedabad
- Indian squad size: 29 members
- Indian squad training camp: SAI NCoE, Gandhinagar, August 23 to September 2, 2026
What Is the Hyundai World Archery Para Series?
The Hyundai World Archery Para Series stands as the first edition of a dedicated global competition circuit for para-archery, organised under World Archery. The series consists of five stages held across different countries throughout 2026, giving athletes multiple opportunities to compete internationally over the course of the year.
The circuit began in Bangkok, Thailand, in April 2026, where Indian archers made an immediate impact, including a gold medal win from Payal Nag. The series then moved to Nové Město, Czechia, for its second stage, held from June 30 to July 4, 2026. Ahmedabad now hosts the third stage, with the fourth and final stage scheduled for Santiago, Chile, in October 2026.
Why Ahmedabad Hosting This Event Matters
For India, hosting this series marks a genuinely significant milestone in the country’s para-sports journey. Until now, India had never hosted a stage of the World Archery Para Series, making this Ahmedabad edition the country’s first opportunity to welcome the world’s top para-archers on home soil.
AAI president Arjun Munda highlighted this point directly, noting that hosting the series gives Indian archers a valuable opportunity to compete against leading international athletes without having to travel abroad. Beyond the immediate competition, officials also see this event as an important step toward establishing India as a regular destination for international para-archery, particularly with the country already set to host further archery events in 2027, including the Asia Cup Archery tournament.
Ahmedabad 2026 WAPS: Key Numbers at a Glance
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event dates | September 5-9, 2026 |
| Total athletes expected | 100+ |
| Countries participating | 20 |
| Competition categories | 4 |
| Indian squad size | 29 |
| Series stage number | 3 of 5 |
| Opening ceremony date | September 4, 2026 |
Meet the Indian Squad
India will field a strong, 29-member para-archery squad for this home event. The team includes some of the country’s most recognisable para-archery stars, including Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar, both of whom have built strong international reputations in recent years.
Ahead of the competition, the squad completed an intensive training camp at the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) in Gandhinagar. This camp ran from August 23 to September 2, 2026, giving the team a focused preparation window right before the tournament began. Competing on home soil, in front of Indian crowds, is likely to add extra motivation for a squad that already boasts strong recent international form.
The Opening Ceremony: “Every Arrow Tells a Story of Courage”
Organisers have planned a formal inauguration ceremony for September 4, 2026, held at The Forum – Hotel & Convention near Club O7 in Shela, Ahmedabad. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to grace the occasion, alongside Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi.
Deputy CM Sanghavi described the ceremony’s chosen theme, “Every arrow tells a story of courage,” as a celebration of the determination, resilience, and sporting excellence shown by para-athletes. According to Sanghavi, the tournament aims to showcase precision and perseverance on a genuinely international platform.
Gujarat’s Growing Role as a Sporting Hub
This event adds to Gujarat’s expanding reputation as a host for major international sporting competitions. Officials have pointed to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s leadership as central to this growth, noting that the state has steadily built its profile as a preferred destination for large-scale sporting events in recent years.
By hosting the Hyundai World Archery Para Series, Ahmedabad now adds another significant international sporting fixture to its calendar. Officials expect the event to further strengthen Gujarat’s standing as a venue for global sport, while also providing a dedicated international platform for para-archery in India.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
About the Event
The event will be held from September 5 to 9, 2026, at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Yes. This marks the first time India has hosted a stage of the Hyundai World Archery Para Series.
More than 100 athletes from 20 countries are expected to compete at the Ahmedabad event.
The event includes four categories: Recurve Open, Compound Open, W1, and Visually Impaired.
The Archery Association of India (AAI) is organising the event, with support from the Government of Gujarat, the Sports Authority of Gujarat, and the Sports Authority of India.
About the Indian Squad and Ceremony
India will field a 29-member para-archery squad, including prominent athletes like Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar.
The squad completed a training camp at the SAI National Centre of Excellence in Gandhinagar, running from August 23 to September 2, 2026.
The opening ceremony will take place on September 4, 2026, at The Forum – Hotel & Convention in Shela, Ahmedabad.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi are all expected to attend.
The series began in Bangkok, Thailand, in April 2026, followed by Nové Město, Czechia, from June 30 to July 4. Ahmedabad hosts the third stage, with the fourth and final stage scheduled for Santiago, Chile, in October 2026.
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