A Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) channel management in a broadband wireless communication system is provided. Operations of a base station include determining a CQI channel operation mode for a CQI channel of a terminal which enters a sleep mode; transmitting at least one message which instructs to enter the sleep mode and includes information indicating the CQI channel operation mode; and managing the CQI channel of the terminal according to the CQI channel operation mode while the terminal operates in the sleep mode. Candidates of the CQI channel operation mode include at least one of a first mode which deallocates the CQI channel in the sleep mode entry, a second mode which maintains the CQI channel in the sleep mode and forbids CQI channel allocation to other terminal during a sleep window, a third mode which deallocates the CQI channel in the sleep window entry without signaling, and a fourth mode which maintains the CQI channel in the sleep mode and allows the CQI channel allocation to other terminal during the sleep window.