The Indian city of Ahmedabad has been officially confirmed as the host for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with organisers making a solemn vow not to repeat the well-documented problems that plagued the Delhi 2010 event.
Learning from the Past
Selected ahead of a rival bid from Abuja in Nigeria, Ahmedabad received final approval at the Commonwealth Sport's general assembly in Glasgow. The announcement comes as India sets its sights on a much larger prize: hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics.
Organisers were quick to address the legacy of the 2010 Delhi Games, which were marred by a series of negative incidents. These included murky swimming pool water that hindered athletes, a malfunctioning security barrier that hospitalised a team official, and even the discovery of cobras in the athletes' village.
Building for the Future
Shri Ashwini Kumar, Gujarat's principal sports secretary, acknowledged that the 2010 Games faced some challenges, but was adamant that preparations for 2030 are already well advanced. The organising committee is set to be established within a month, and he confirmed that most venues are already ready, with funding securely in place.
The sporting programme is set for a significant expansion. While the 2026 Games in Glasgow will feature only 10 sports, the Ahmedabad edition plans to include 15 to 17 sports. Core events like athletics, swimming, and netball will be joined by provisional sports such as Twenty20 cricket and triathlon, with the final list to be decided next month.
A Foundation for the Next Century
Dr PT Usha, President of the Commonwealth Games Association of India, framed the 2030 event as a pivotal moment. She promised a strong, inclusive, and future-ready Commonwealth Games that will not only celebrate a century of the Commonwealth Movement but also lay the foundation for the next hundred years.
This commitment arrives at a crucial time for the Commonwealth Games movement, which was recently shaken by Victoria's decision to withdraw as the 2026 host, leading to Glasgow stepping in as a replacement. Ahmedabad's confident and prepared bid offers a renewed sense of stability and ambition for the future of the event.
