The Indian Olympic Association endorses India's proposition for hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games, selects Ahmedabad as the host city
India Aims to Host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and 2036 Olympics in Ahmedabad
India is gearing up to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, with ambitions to use the event as a stepping stone towards hosting the 2036 Olympics. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) recently approved India's bid for the 2030 Games during a Special General Meeting (SGM) in Delhi.
Ahmedabad, with its strong sports infrastructure, is the frontrunner city for the 2030 Games. The city boasts the 130,000-seat Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Cricket Stadium, which hosted the 2023 Cricket World Cup final. The city is also enhancing facilities to support the Games, including new sports venues, athlete villages, transport, and hotels.
The 2030 Commonwealth Games will be a full-fledged event, featuring sports that India is good at and has a chance of winning maximum medals. The event will showcase India's ability to host large international sporting events smoothly, following the difficulties experienced during the 2010 Games in New Delhi.
The IOA has submitted a Letter of Intent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the 2036 Olympic bid and is currently in the "Continuous Dialogue" phase with the IOC’s Future Host Commission. India plans to include some native Indian sports in the Olympics, such as yoga, kabaddi, and kho-kho, alongside chess, T20 cricket, and squash, which are already gaining Olympic recognition.
Canada has withdrawn from the race to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, potentially boosting India's prospects. The IOA has already submitted an Expression of Interest for the 2030 Games, and the final bid proposals must be submitted before the August 31 deadline.
The 2030 Games will feature three groups of sports: core sports, host nation choice sports, and additional sports. India plans to include all medal-earning sports such as shooting, archery, wrestling, and traditional sports like kabaddi and kho kho.
The SGM, which lasted just over half an hour, was preceded by an Executive Council meeting earlier in the morning. The decision to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games was a unanimous one, according to IOA President PT Usha. Preparations for hosting the Games will go ahead, with a focus on infrastructure and organizational improvements, cultural sporting inclusion, and addressing governance and doping concerns to strengthen India's Olympic bid for 2036.
Usha has expressed that an "inclusive" edition of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is planned, actively featuring all "medal-earning" sports. The IOA is also considering a larger Commonwealth Sport delegation for a further inspection of Ahmedabad later this month.
The General Assembly of Commonwealth Sport will decide the host nation for the 2030 Games in the last week of November in Glasgow. The 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games excluded major sports such as hockey, badminton, wrestling, and shooting due to cost factors. Ahmedabad is the designated host city for the 2030 Games, but Delhi and Bhubaneswar are also under consideration.
India's ambition is to host the 2036 Olympic Games in Ahmedabad, with the 2030 Commonwealth Games serving as a strategic precursor. The country aims to use the 2030 Games as an opportunity to demonstrate improved organizational capabilities and infrastructure, following difficulties in the 2010 Games in New Delhi. The goal is to showcase the ability to host large international sporting events smoothly, thereby solidifying its Olympic bid for 2036.
However, key concerns remain, including governance issues within the National Olympic Committee, anti-doping compliance, and India’s historical Olympic performance. These are noted by the IOC as important challenges to address before the bid can progress seriously. French support has also been offered to help with expertise, leveraging France’s experience from the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In summary, India’s plan for hosting the 2036 Olympics involves using the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad as a stepping stone, focusing on infrastructure and organizational improvements, cultural sporting inclusion, and addressing governance and doping concerns to strengthen its bid.
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