NEW DELHI: India’s long-anticipated bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games is set to receive formal approval on Wednesday at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow — a move that will officially bring the multi-sport extravaganza back to the country after 20 years and mark a major leap in India’s ambitions to become a global sporting hub.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Although the hosting rights were all but assured over a month ago, Wednesday’s vote will put the final seal on what the Commonwealth Sport Board has already recommended after a detailed evaluation process. The review assessed candidate cities on technical delivery, infrastructure, governance, athlete experience, and alignment with the movement’s core values.
Ahmedabad emerged as the preferred host city over Abuja, Nigeria. Commonwealth Sport has decided to work with Abuja for a strengthened bid for 2034, citing plans to “support and accelerate” Africa’s hosting ambitions.During the Assembly, India will make a final presentation outlining its vision for the “Amdavad” Games. A formal announcement is expected around 6:30 pm IST, with India represented by Joint Secretary (Sports) Kunal, IOA President PT Usha, and Gujarat Sports Minister Harsh Sanghavi.Calling it a defining point in the Commonwealth movement’s 100-year history, the organisation said the approval would be followed by a “unique broadcast moment”.Hosting the 2030 Games would be a significant milestone as India eyes an even bigger goal — the 2036 Olympic Games, also proposed to be staged in Ahmedabad. The city has rapidly expanded its sports infrastructure, including the massive Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, anchored by the world’s largest cricket stadium.Ahmedabad has recently hosted major international events, including the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships and the Asian Aquatics Championships, and will stage the World Police and Fire Games in 2029.With Glasgow 2026 scaling down its programme due to budget constraints, India has assured a full-strength roster for 2030, including medal-rich sports like shooting, wrestling, hockey, kabaddi and kho kho. “The plan is to have all our medal-earning sports,” IOA joint secretary Kalyan Chaubey had said earlier.The approval will officially return the Games to India for the first time since Delhi 2010.Commonwealth Sport last month said India’s bid demonstrates “the scale and diversity of modern sport”, acknowledging the nation’s rich sporting history and fourth-place finish at the 2022 Birmingham Games.
