 "Commonwealth Games were last hosted by India in 2010 in New Delhi. Instagram/IndianOlympicAssociation")
Commonwealth Games (CWG) will return to India after two decades as Ahmedabad has been officially declared as the host city for the 2030 edition of the multi-nation quadrennial event. Delhi last hosted the CWG in India in 2010.
Ahmedabad was recommended as the proposed host of what will be the centenary edition of the event by the Commonwealth Sport’s Executive Board last month. The general assembly of the board formally approved the city as host on Wednesday.
The Gujarat city faced tough competition from Nigeria’s Abuja which has now been rewarded the hosting rights for the 2030 edition of the CWG.
India is also in the running to host the 2036 Olympic Games and their successful bid for the CWG bolsters their Olympics hopes as well.
Indian Olympic Association ‘honoured’
“We are deeply honoured by the trust shown by Commonwealth Sport. The 2030 Games will not only celebrate a 100 years of the Commonwealth Movement but also lay the foundation for the next century,” PT Usha, President of the Commonwealth Games Association of India and the IOA, said.
“It will bring together Athletes, communities, and cultures from across the Commonwealth in a spirit of friendship and progress,” she added.
“The Amdavad 2030 team will work closely with Commonwealth Sport and the International Federation community to shape a dynamic and exciting sport programme with strong local resonance and global appeal,” the body stated.
“India brings scale, youth, ambition, rich culture, enormous sporting passion and relevance…We start our next century for the Commonwealth Games in good health,” said Dr Donald Rukare, President of Commonwealth Sport.
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View All15-17 sports to feature in CWG 2030
Commonwealth Sport also confirmed that 15 to 17 sports will be a part of the 2030 CWG. The next edition of the event in Glasgow in 2026 had been scaled down due to cost concerns with just 10 sports on its roster. However, the Ahmedabad event will be a bigger one.
Athletics and Para Athletics, Swimming and Para Swimming, Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis, Bowls and Para Bowls, Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting, Artistic Gymnastics, Netball and Boxing are the confirmed disciplines.
“The process to finalise the remainder of the programme will start next month, and the full Centenary Games line-up will be announced next year.
“The sports under consideration are: Archery, Badminton, 3x3 Basketball and 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cricket T20, Cycling, Diving, Hockey, Judo, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Rugby Sevens, Shooting, Squash, Triathlon and Para Triathlon and Wrestling. “The host can also propose up to two new or traditional sports,” it added.
The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave in Ahmedabad is one of the prime venues that is currently under development and will be used for the event.