New Delhi, Aug 27 (PTI) The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved India's bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, selecting Ahmedabad as the "ideal" venue due to its "world-class stadiums, cutting-edge training facilities, and a passionate sporting culture".
This decision follows the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) approval of the proposal after an 'Expression of Interest' was submitted in March.
"The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approved the proposal of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports to submit a bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games (CWG)," stated a press release from the Press Information Bureau.
Additionally, approval was given to sign the Host Collaboration Agreement (HCA), along with the necessary guarantees from relevant ministries, departments, and authorities, and to sanction the required grant-in-aid to the Gujarat Government should the bid be successful.
The final date to submit the bid is August 31, and the IOA is expected to finalize all formalities within 48 hours. India last hosted the CWG in 2010.
The General Assembly of Commonwealth Sport will decide the host nation in the last week of November in Glasgow. India's chances have improved as Canada has withdrawn its bid due to budgetary constraints.
The PIB statement following the Cabinet meeting affirmed Ahmedabad as the ideal host city for the Games.
"Ahmedabad is an ideal host city, offering world-class stadiums, cutting-edge training facilities, and a passionate sporting culture. The Narendra Modi Stadium, the largest in the world, has already proven its capabilities by successfully hosting the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Final," it noted.
India is also considering hosting the 2036 Olympic Games, with Ahmedabad as a leading candidate. The city's sporting infrastructure is undergoing upgrades with this goal in mind.
The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, currently under construction, will be a prime venue. Apart from the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium, it will accommodate an aquatics center, a football stadium, and two arenas for indoor sports.
Athletes from 72 countries participate in the Commonwealth Games, and the government believes the event would "benefit local businesses and generate revenue".
"Beyond sports, hosting the CWG in India would leave a lasting impact by boosting tourism, creating jobs, and inspiring millions of young athletes."
Furthermore, many professionals will find opportunities in sports science, event operations and management, logistics, and transport coordination, broadcast and media, IT and communications, public relations, and other fields.
Will Foster National Pride
The government envisions this "globally prestigious event" as a means to foster a strong sense of national pride and unity.
"It will provide a shared national experience and boost the morale of our nation. It will inspire a new generation of athletes to pursue sports as a career and encourage greater participation in sports at all levels," the release stated.
Elaborate Roster Planned for 2030
The 2026 CWG in Glasgow will be significantly scaled down to avoid budget excesses, resulting in the exclusion of disciplines such as wrestling, shooting, badminton, and hockey.
However, the IOA has clarified that if the 2030 Games are hosted in India, all disciplines dropped by Glasgow will be included in an elaborate roster.
"The plan is to include all our medal-earning sports like shooting, archery, wrestling, etc. Our traditional sports like kabaddi and kho kho should also be featured," IOA joint secretary Kalyan Chaubey said after an IOA SGM in Delhi earlier this month.
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