Ahmedabad, India, has been recommended as the host city for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. On Wednesday, Commonwealth Sport announced the selection of the Indian city, which triumphed over a bid from Abuja, Nigeria. This upcoming event will mark the centenary of the Commonwealth Games, a significant milestone for the sporting event.
The evaluation committee’s recommendation awaits final approval during the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly scheduled for November 26, 2023, in Glasgow. This will be the second time India has hosted the Commonwealth Games, the first being in Delhi in 2010.
PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association, expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity. “It would be an extraordinary honour for India to host the centenary Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad,” she stated. Usha emphasized the potential of the 2030 Games to inspire youth, strengthen international partnerships, and contribute to a unified future across the Commonwealth.
Katie Sadleir, CEO of Commonwealth Sport, remarked on the strategic importance of this decision. “Today’s recommendation is strategically important for the future of the Commonwealth Sport movement,” she noted. Sadleir highlighted that the centenary games would not only celebrate a century of history but also showcase how the Commonwealth Games can evolve to create a meaningful impact for athletes and communities.
Looking ahead, the inclusion of sports in the 2030 Commonwealth Games remains uncertain. This follows a reduced schedule for the 2026 Games in Glasgow, which were originally set to take place in the Australian state of Victoria. The Glasgow Games will feature ten sports: athletics, swimming, track cycling, weightlifting, 3×3 basketball, lawn bowls, netball, artistic gymnastics, judo, and boxing. This is a significant reduction from the 2022 Games in Birmingham, where a total of nine sports were excluded, such as badminton, cricket, and hockey.
The upcoming 2030 Commonwealth Games are seen as a potential dress rehearsal for India’s aspirations to host a future Olympic Games. As such, it is anticipated that Ahmedabad will likely present a comprehensive Commonwealth Games program, reflecting a full spectrum of sports. The excitement surrounding this event underscores India’s growing prominence in hosting major international sporting competitions.
With the final decision pending, the world watches closely as Ahmedabad prepares to embrace this significant opportunity.
