India To Host World Police & Fire Games For First Time In 2029, Here's All About It

India will host the 2029 World Police and Fire Games in Ahmedabad. Here’s what the global event means, who competes, and why it’s a proud moment for the nation.

India to Host 2029 World Police and Fire Games in Ahmedabad

Source : X

In a historic first, India will play host to the 2029 World Police and Fire Games (WPFG), a global sporting spectacle often described as the Olympics for first responders. The announcement, made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has sparked a wave of national pride, with Shah calling it “a moment of great pride for every citizen.”

The vibrant city of Ahmedabad has been chosen as the venue for this prestigious event, marking India’s debut as a host nation for the biennial games. Shah praised the selection, noting that it reflects the city’s growing prominence as a global sports destination.

What Are the World Police and Fire Games?

The World Police and Fire Games are no ordinary competition. Held every two years since 1985, they bring together thousands of active and retired personnel from police forces, fire departments, corrections, border security, customs, immigration, and emergency medical services. These athletes from around the world compete in an array of over 60 sporting disciplines, from track and field to martial arts, swimming, and cycling.

Governed by the California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF) in partnership with the WPFG Board of Directors and the host city, the games are designed to foster camaraderie and mutual respect among global first responders while celebrating athletic excellence.

It is a moment of great pride for every citizen, as Bharat has been designated as the host country for the prestigious 2029 World Police and Fire Games. Bharat winning the prestigious bid to host the event is a global recognition of our sprawling sports infrastructure built under…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 27, 2025

A Legacy of Unity and Strength

The first edition of the WPFG was held in San Jose, California, in 1985. Since then, the games have traveled across continents — from Australia and Canada to Northern Ireland, Spain, Sweden, and China. The 2011 Games in New York City saw a record-breaking attendance, with over 16,000 athletes from nearly 70 nations. In 2019, Chengdu, China, welcomed over 10,000 competitors, while the overall event drew more than 25,000 attendees, including families and supporters.

India’s tryst with the WPFG began in 2007 when its police contingent first participated in the Adelaide Games. Since then, the Indian team has made a strong mark, clinching over 1,400 medals across eight editions.

In the latest edition held in Winnipeg, Canada (July 26–August 6, 2023), Indian athletes delivered a record-breaking performance, securing 343 medals — 224 gold, 82 silver, and 37 bronze — further underlining the country's rising prowess in international police sports.

How India Selects Its Champions

India’s participants for the WPFG are handpicked based on their performance in the All India Police Games, a national event organized annually by the All India Police Sports Control Board. This governing body, comprising 53 member organizations from various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), state police forces, and security agencies, conducts around 40 sporting events each year.

Gold medalists from these national competitions are shortlisted to represent India on the global stage, ensuring that the country’s finest and fittest law enforcement athletes carry the tricolor forward.

A Global Recognition of India's Sports Infrastructure

The decision to award India the hosting rights for the 2029 WPFG is seen as a recognition of the country's growing investments in sports infrastructure and international event management. Minister Shah highlighted this milestone as a reflection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for turning India into a sporting powerhouse.

“It is a moment of great pride for every citizen, as Bharat has been designated as the host country for the prestigious 2029 World Police and Fire Games,” Shah wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Bharat winning the prestigious bid to host the event is a global recognition of our sprawling sports infrastructure built under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi Ji.”