Countries interested in hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games had until Monday to make their submissions. The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) now has the cards in hand to designate, in the coming months, the host country for this special edition, which will mark the event's XNUMXth anniversary. One thing is certain at this stage: India is in the running. PT Usha, president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), confirmed to Reuters that India had "sent an expression of interest", hoping that the CGF "take our proposal into consideration"Another rung on the ladder that will lead the country to the organization of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Coldplay, the argument we didn't expect
India previously hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010 in New Delhi – but not without allegations of corruption and mismanagement. This time, Ahmedabad, in the western state of Gujarat, is offering to host. “Ahmedabad has demonstrated its ability to host major events, including the 2023 Cricket World Cup final and the recent Coldplay concert.”, justifies PT Usha. In January, the famous group gave the biggest concert of its career at the Narendra Modi Stadium, in front of more than 110.000 spectators. It was a great advertisement for India, which also developed its exchanges with key players in the Olympic world.
In January, CGF President Chris Jenkins visited the state of Uttarakhand to attend the opening of the National Games. "We share India's vision in promoting sports and celebrating excellence on the international stage, and the opening of the National Games in Dehradun marks an important moment in India's sporting journey. The event promises to showcase India's commitment to the development of sports.", commented Jenkins, who was able to speak directly with PT Usha during this visit.
Katie Sadleir, executive director of the CGF, also sent a positive signal when she spoke at a summit in New Delhi in February. “Hosting the Olympic Games would be an incredible achievement, and having the 2030 Commonwealth Games in India would be a good step towards that goal., she explained. The political support and passion of the people here is incredible. The will is there, and people understand the power of sport and the Commonwealth Games." Praise that confirms that awarding the 2030 Games to India would be good for everyone, including the CGF, which wants to revive momentum around the event beyond the European continent, host in 2022 (Birmingham) and 2026 (Glasgow).
Swimming and athletics in the sights
Significant investments have been made in Ahmedabad for several months with a view to making it a stronghold of world sport. "The Gujarat government is committed to developing the state, and particularly Ahmedabad, into a sports hub. Gujarat has successfully hosted national and international level competitions over the past year.", recalled Sports Minister Harsh Sanghavi. The Naranpura Sports Complex, the country's largest multi-sport complex, will be inaugurated shortly and will host the Asian Swimming Championships starting in November. Other planned projects include the construction of a shooting range and a 30.000-seat athletics stadium at the Karai Police Academy.
The country hopes to score points and continue its momentum by securing the organization of the World Combat Sports Games in 2027, the World U20 Athletics Championships in 2028 (World Athletics will decide in September), the Youth Olympic Games in 2030 and the Asian Youth Games in 2033. All this, of course, with the 2036 Olympic Games as the ultimate goal. The Times of India has already revealed that hosting the Games in India could cost up to $7,5 billion. According to the authorities' plans, Ahmedabad and the neighboring city of Ghandinagar would host 80% of the events, within a 20-kilometer radius of the Olympic Village. Surfing and sailing would land in Goa, canoeing slalom in Bhopal, rowing and canoeing sprint in Pune, and cricket and football in Mumbai. India has already planned everything. All that remains is to convince the IOCs and IFs, and to confirm its ability to organize major multi-sport events on the ground.
