New Delhi: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has said India is moving towards becoming a leading global destination for sports, with the government focused on building a stronger ecosystem for athletes, training and international competitions.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the World Archery Para Series in Ahmedabad virtually on Friday, Shah said the country’s growing sports infrastructure would help attract athletes from around the world. More than 108 para athletes from 19 countries are taking part in the event, being held from September 5 to 9.
Shah said Ahmedabad, Gujarat and India have the potential to become major centres for the Olympics, Paralympics and other international sporting events. Gujarat, he added, is also expected to develop into a hub for sports training, modern facilities and sports equipment manufacturing.
He stressed that India’s sporting ambitions extend beyond winning medals. The broader objective is to create a strong and sustainable sports ecosystem covering major competitions such as the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Police Games.
According to Shah, new training and coaching facilities are being developed to international standards and could eventually attract athletes from different countries for specialised preparation.
He also highlighted the potential for India to become a global leader in sports injury treatment and medical science. Gujarat, he said, is positioned to play an important role in developing expertise in this field.
Shah welcomed Ahmedabad’s selection to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and expressed confidence that the city would also get the opportunity to host the 2036 Olympics. Ahmedabad has submitted its bid to stage the Games.
The city is also expected to host around 10 international sporting events across different disciplines during 2025 and 2026, further strengthening its profile as an emerging global sports destination.
