India’s 2030 Commonwealth Games Bid: Nation Submits Proposal to Host Prestigious Event

India has officially thrown its hat into the ring to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with a formal bid submitted to the Commonwealth Sport in London. The bid names the city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, as the proposed host for the centenary edition of the Games, which marks 100 years of the multi-sport event.

The proposal was submitted by a high-level delegation led by Gujarat’s Minister of State for Sports, Harsh Sanghavi, on Friday, August 29, a date chosen to coincide with India’s National Sports Day. The move follows the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the Union Cabinet’s formal approval to bid for the Games.

Ahmedabad is being positioned as the ideal host city due to its robust and modern sporting infrastructure. The city is home to the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket stadium, which successfully hosted the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Final. The bid highlights a “compact and modern Games footprint,” designed to ensure a seamless experience for athletes, officials, and spectators.

According to a release from the government, India’s bid is based on the ancient principles of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family) and “Atithi Devo Bhava” (the guest is divine), aiming to promote unity and human connection. The bid also emphasizes a commitment to sustainability, inclusivity, and the development of a lasting legacy for the country.

This bid marks India’s second attempt to host the Games, having previously held the event in New Delhi in 2010. While the 2010 Games were India’s most successful in terms of medal count, they were also marred by allegations of corruption and mismanagement. The current bid is seen as a strategic step to showcase India’s progress and its ambition to become a leading global sporting hub.

The decision on the host for the 2030 Commonwealth Games is expected to be made at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly, which will be held in Glasgow in late November. India will be competing against at least one other nation, Nigeria, for the hosting rights, with Canada having recently withdrawn its bid.