1st Dhyan Chand International Orienteering Championship – New Delhi, November 2026

The Dhyan Chand Foundation is proud to announce the 1st Dhyan Chand International Orienteering Championship, which will be held in New Delhi in November 2026. This landmark event will bring together elite orienteering athletes from India and around the world, marking an important step in introducing and developing the sport of Orienteering in India.

A New Sporting Movement Inspired by a Legendary Legacy

Nearly a century ago, Major Dhyan Chand transformed the landscape of Indian sport by establishing hockey as a symbol of national excellence. As we celebrate 100 years of the Dhyan Chand legacy, the Dhyan Chand Foundation is committed to carrying forward that spirit by promoting new sports that inspire the next generation of athletes.

Orienteering represents exactly that vision. In a time when young people are increasingly drawn toward screens and digital gadgets, this sport encourages outdoor activity, strategic thinking, physical endurance, and mental agility. Athletes navigate through terrain using maps and compasses, racing to locate checkpoints in the fastest possible time.

A Global Sport with Strong International Roots

Orienteering is governed by the International Orienteering Federation and is deeply rooted in many European countries such as Finland, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic, where it forms an integral part of school and university sports culture.

The sport is also recognized and played within major international sporting structures such as the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and the International Military Sports Council (CISM), highlighting its global importance in both university and military sports systems.

Bringing the World to New Delhi

The 1st Dhyan Chand International Orienteering Championship will bring elite athletes to New Delhi to compete in challenging and exciting races that test both physical endurance and navigational intelligence.

The championship aims to:

Introduce international-level Orienteering competition to India

Provide Indian athletes with exposure to world-class competitors

Inspire youth participation in outdoor endurance sports

Position India as an emerging destination for Orienteering in Asia

Building the Future of Orienteering in India

The Dhyan Chand Foundation has been instrumental in helping this Olympic-recognized sport gain traction in India. Through initiatives such as training camps, international partnerships, and upcoming competitions like the India–Mauritius Bilateral Orienteering Series, the Foundation is committed to building a strong ecosystem for the sport.

The Dhyan Chand International Orienteering Championship will be a major milestone in this journey, bringing together athletes, institutions, and sports leaders who believe in developing a new generation of outdoor champions.

Join the Movement

The Dhyan Chand Foundation invites athletes, institutions, universities, and sports enthusiasts to become part of this historic event and support the growth of Orienteering in India.

More details regarding event schedule, participation, and registrations will be announced soon.

Dhyan Chand Foundation
Carrying forward a century of sporting legacy — and inspiring the champions of tomorrow.