Gujarat Pushes Hard for Commonwealth Games Gujarat is making a strong move to bring the Commonwealth Games to India, with officials actively pushing their bid to host the massive global sports event. This significant step sees the state putting forward its best case now, hoping to secure the prestigious competition in the coming years. The effort shows Gujarat’s big plans to become a major sports center on the world stage, building on its growing infrastructure and past event hosting success. This latest push could reshape India’s place in international sports, creating huge chances for the state and the country if the bid wins.
India Puts Forward Bid for 2030 Games
India has formally put forward its offer to host the Commonwealth Games in the year 2030. This vital step was taken when the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) held a special meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. The city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat has been named as the main place where these big sports events would happen. This move shows India’s strong wish to welcome large sports gatherings and to make its mark on the world sports stage. The final document with the full offer is expected to be given to the Commonwealth Sport organization by the end of August, specifically by August 31.
This decision comes at a time when the search for a host city for the Commonwealth Games has seen some changes. Canada, which was also thought to be a possible host, decided to step back from its offer. This has made India a top choice for hosting the 2030 Games. The Commonwealth Games are a large sports event involving athletes from many countries that were once part of the British Empire. Hosting such a big event means careful planning and having the right facilities.
Speaking about this significant development, IOA President P. T. Usha said, “I am happy that all are together and it was a unanimous decision and our preparations will go ahead.” She also pointed out the need for early preparation, saying, “We have learned from past experiences and this time, we are leaving nothing to chance.”
The 2030 Games are especially essential because they will mark 20 years since India last hosted the event in New Delhi in 2010. That event had some problems. this time, India wants to show how much it has grown and improved in organizing big international events.
Why Ahmedabad is the Chosen City
Ahmedabad has been chosen as the main city for India’s bid because of its strong progress in building sports facilities. The city has been working on a big plan to create world-class sports areas, which makes it a good fit for hosting a major international sports event. This plan to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games also connects with India’s larger dream of hosting the Olympic Games in 2036, making the Commonwealth Games a key step towards that bigger goal.
The city’s offer is strongly supported by the ongoing work on the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave. This large sports area, costing about 6,000 crore Indian rupees, covers 236 acres of land. It is being built to meet the standards required for Olympic-level events. This big project is a joint effort between the state government and a development authority, working with private companies. It is expected to be finished by the year 2029.
The sports enclave will have many different kinds of sports places, including:
- The Narendra Modi Stadium, which is the world’s biggest cricket ground.
- A football stadium with seats for 50,000 people.
- An indoor sports hall with 18,000 seats.
- An aquatics center for swimming events, with seats for 12,000 people.
- A special village where athletes can stay.
- New hotels and business areas.
Besides this main sports area, Ahmedabad is also building other sports places. The Naranpura Sports Complex is one such facility that is almost ready. It will have swimming pools, indoor sports halls. centers for sports training. There are also plans to build a network of smaller sports centers across different parts of the city. More than 125 crore Indian rupees have been put aside for building sports places in areas like Naroda and Ghuma.
These large-scale projects show Ahmedabad’s dedication to improving its sports and public transport systems. The city is also working on its airport, building a new part that will double the number of passengers it can handle before 2030. Metro train lines are being extended, bus rapid transit systems are being improved. a central transport hub is also planned. The city’s hotel industry is also growing quickly to welcome more visitors.
Building World-Class Sports Facilities
Gujarat’s strong focus on building and improving sports facilities plays a big part in its bid to host the Commonwealth Games. The state has invested heavily in creating modern places for athletes and visitors. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave in Motera is a key part of this plan. This large complex, spread over 300 acres around the Narendra Modi Stadium, will have ten new stadiums and other places for various sports like gymnastics, skateboarding. tennis.
Another essential project is taking place at the Gujarat Police Academy in Karai. A 143-acre area is being turned into a sports center. This will include a stadium for athletics and places to host sports like Rugby 7s and football. An indoor hall is also being built for weightlifting, along with a special center for shooting sports.
The city of Ahmedabad is also developing smaller sports complexes in different areas. For example, the Amdavad Municipal Corporation has given its approval for mini sports complexes in Naroda and Nikol, costing over 125 crore Indian rupees. These smaller centers aim to encourage more people to take part in sports and to prepare the city for big international events.
These efforts are not just for the Commonwealth Games. They are part of a larger plan to make Ahmedabad ready for hosting bigger events like the 2036 Olympic Games. This shows a long-term vision for sports growth in the region.
Gujarat Sports Minister Harsh Sanghavi has talked about the state’s careful planning for the Games. He stated, “We believe that the Games of 2030 should be rooted in sustainability, community participation and above all athlete experience. Athletes are the heart of the Games and every decision we take will be shaped by their comfort, their needs and their performance.” He also added that the plan focuses on lasting positive effects, using existing sports places when possible. making sure the Games leave good things behind for local people.
New Approach to Hosting Big Events
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has recently changed how it picks host cities for the Games. This new method, which started in January 2025, is more about working together and aims to make hosting less costly and more flexible. This is a direct response to challenges faced by past hosts, like Victoria, Australia, which pulled out of hosting the 2026 Games because of high costs. This led to Glasgow, Scotland, stepping in to host a smaller version of the Games in a short time.
The new approach from CGF has three main ideas:
- Host countries will have more freedom to shape the Games and make sure there are lasting benefits for local communities.
- The cost of hosting will be much lower than in the past. This will allow more new countries and places to host the Games. This will be done by using existing sports places and living areas unless new buildings are already planned as part of the country’s development.
- The sports program for each Games should be new, include everyone. be exciting. It should be good for athletes, host countries. the Commonwealth generally.
India’s bid for the 2030 Games fits well with this new way of thinking. The Indian Olympic Association wants to host a full-scale Games, unlike the reduced one planned for Glasgow in 2026. This means bringing back crucial sports where India usually wins many medals, such as shooting, wrestling, badminton, hockey, archery, table tennis. women’s cricket. They also plan to include traditional Indian sports like kabaddi and kho kho.
A team from Commonwealth Sport, led by their Director of Games, Darren Hall, visited Ahmedabad recently in early August 2025. They looked at the planned sports places, checked transport and living arrangements. talked with officials from the Gujarat government. Another, larger team from Commonwealth Sport is expected to visit later in August. They will look closely at how the Games can be made to last, how accessible they will be. how well athletes will be taken care of.
Benefits for the City and Nation
Hosting the Commonwealth Games brings many good things to the city and the country. For Ahmedabad and Gujarat, it means a big boost to the local economy. When a major event like this takes place, it leads to more jobs, especially in building, hotels. services. Businesses, both big and small, often see more customers. The Games also draw in many visitors, which helps the tourism industry grow. This includes hotels, restaurants, shops. travel services.
Beyond money and jobs, the Games also improve the city’s public facilities. The building of new sports places, better roads. improved public transport systems helps all people who live in the city, not just during the Games. for many years after. For example, the upgrades to Sardar Vallabhbhai International Airport and the expansion of metro and bus services will make travel easier for everyone.
Hosting a big sports event also helps a city and country become better known around the world. It puts Ahmedabad and India in the spotlight, showing their ability to manage large international events. This can lead to more business and investment from other countries. It also encourages more young people to take part in sports, leading to a healthier and more active society.
For India, securing the 2030 Commonwealth Games is also a strategic move. It is a key step towards its larger goal of hosting the Olympic Games in 2036. By successfully hosting the Commonwealth Games, India can show the world that it has the skills, the places. the support to host the very biggest sports events. This builds trust and confidence in the country’s abilities.
Officials have also noted that the new flexible hosting process for the Commonwealth Games allows for a focus on social return and lasting benefits. This means the Games would not just be a short event. would create positive changes for the community over a long time. This can include programs for jobs and skills, similar to what was seen in Birmingham 2022, which trained over 20,000 people.
What Happens Next
With the formal approval from the Indian Olympic Association, the next few months will be very vital for India’s bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. The Indian Olympic Association needs to hand in its full and final bid proposal to the Commonwealth Sport organization by August 31, 2025. This detailed plan will include all the insights about the sports places, living arrangements for athletes, transport, safety plans. how the Games will be paid for.
After the bid is submitted, a larger team of officials from Commonwealth Sport is expected to visit Ahmedabad again later in August 2025. This visit will be more thorough, focusing on vital areas like how sustainable the Games will be, how easy it will be for everyone to access all areas. how well the athletes will be looked after. These visits are a crucial part of the process, as the Commonwealth Sport team will check if the city meets all the necessary standards and requirements.
The final decision on which city will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games will be made in November 2025. The Commonwealth Sport General Assembly will hold a meeting in Glasgow, Scotland, during the last week of November to choose the host nation. This is the moment when all the planning and efforts of the bidding city and country come to a final point.
India is seen as a strong choice for the 2030 Games, especially since Canada has decided not to bid. The country’s growing sports facilities, strong government backing. its clear goals for future big events like the 2036 Olympics, place it in a good position. The Indian Olympic Association and the Gujarat government will continue to work closely with Commonwealth Sport to show that Ahmedabad is ready to host a successful and memorable Games.
