New Delhi: Ahmedabad is set to accelerate preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games over the next two months, marking a significant milestone in India’s long-term vision to host the 2036 Olympic Games. The city’s successful bid for the Games follows years of strategic planning and international sporting exposure, positioning Ahmedabad as a rising hub for global multi-sporting events.
The campaign for hosting the Commonwealth Games formally began about eight months ago, although groundwork and infrastructure development have been underway for at least four to five years. Hosting major events such as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and IPL 2023 helped Ahmedabad demonstrate its organisational capabilities on the international stage, ultimately enabling it to outpace Nigeria’s Abuja in securing the Games.
Ahmedabad has steadily built its profile as a sporting city. The 2022 National Games, co-hosted with Gandhinagar and Rajkot, showcased its ability to manage large-scale tournaments. More recently, the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships at the Naranpura Sports Complex saw participation from over 350 athletes across 29 countries, further cementing Ahmedabad’s reputation for hosting international competitions.
The city’s calendar leading up to 2030 is packed with major events, including the Asian Aquatics Championship 2025, AFC Under-17 Asian Cup Qualifier, Asian Weightlifting Championship, Archery Asia Para Cup-World Ranking Tournament 2026, Women’s Volleyball World Championship 2027, and the World Police and Fire Games 2029. National and regional events like the Ayuthan Marathon 2026 and Tourism Cricket Premier League (TCPL) 2026 will also contribute to Ahmedabad’s growing sports ecosystem.
India has a history of successfully hosting multi-sport events, from the 1951 and 1982 Asian Games to the 2010 Commonwealth Games. While the 2010 Games faced controversies, the event was praised internationally for its organisation and India’s athletes delivered historic performances, winning over 100 medals, including 38 gold.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is personally overseeing preparations for India’s 2036 Olympic bid. He has streamlined coordination within the Indian Olympic Association to ensure a unified approach. Praising India’s sports infrastructure and talent pool, Shah described the development as a source of national pride. IOA President PT Usha highlighted that the 2030 Games will showcase India’s organisational excellence, inspire youth, strengthen international partnerships, and contribute to the country’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The 2030 Commonwealth Games are expected to serve as a crucial rehearsal for India, testing its readiness for the ultimate challenge: hosting the Olympic Games in 2036.
