India has officially submitted a bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, a move the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) says is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the country’s case for staging the 2036 Olympic Games.
An IOA delegation presented the bid proposal on Friday at the Commonwealth Sport headquarters in London.
“This is not just a bid to stage a sporting event – it is our commitment to the Commonwealth family to deliver Games that are athlete-centred, inclusive, sustainable, and future-facing,” said Harpal Singh, IOA Executive Council member, during a call from London, as reported by Reuters.
“Our vision is to use this milestone not only to honour the past but to set the stage for the future – ensuring the Games remain relevant, impactful and viable for the next century,” he added
The Indian federal government approved the plan on Wednesday, giving the green light to sign the Host Collaboration Agreement (HCA) and secure all necessary guarantees from relevant ministries.
Calling the development a “proud moment”, Singh – who also serves on the Commonwealth Sport sports committee – said the bid aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of bringing the 2036 Olympics to India.
“Successfully hosting the Commonwealth Games will demonstrate our nation’s capability, strengthen our international credibility and lay the foundation for the Olympic journey ahead,” he added.
India will face stiff competition, with Canada and Nigeria also submitting bids to host the 2030 edition. The final decision will be announced at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow this November.
The Commonwealth Games, a multi-sport event featuring mostly former British colonies, has faced significant hosting challenges in recent years.
The 2026 Games in Scotland will be scaled down after the original hosts, Victoria in Australia, pulled out citing rising costs.
The 2022 Games were shifted to Birmingham after Durban, South Africa, withdrew over financial difficulties.
If successful, Ahmedabad would become the second Indian city to host the Games after Delhi in 2010.
