Commonwealth Sport Board endorses India’s bid; final decision due on November 26
(By Sarhind Times Sports & Infrastructure Bureau | October 16, 2025)
Ahmedabad — India’s Mega-Event Ambition Gets a Global Stage
In a major boost to India’s international sporting ambitions, Commonwealth Sport’s Executive Board has officially recommended Ahmedabad as the proposed host city for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. The recommendation, made after a series of technical evaluations and consultations, will now go before the Commonwealth General Assembly for final ratification on November 26, 2025.
If confirmed, this would mark India’s return to hosting a multi-sport event after 20 years, following the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. The move positions Ahmedabad—and Gujarat—as the next epicentre of India’s growing sports infrastructure revolution.
From Vision to Validation
The proposal, spearheaded by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the Gujarat Government, leveraged the city’s world-class sporting venues, transport infrastructure, and hospitality ecosystem. Central to the pitch was the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket venue, alongside a newly developed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave—a sprawling complex designed for multi-disciplinary events.
“Ahmedabad has both the facilities and the spirit to host an event of this magnitude,” said Commonwealth Sport President Chris Jenkins in a statement. “India’s renewed commitment to sustainable, inclusive sports infrastructure was a key factor in our recommendation.”
The Board’s decision follows months of due diligence, including site inspections, financial planning assessments, and sustainability audits.
What Makes Ahmedabad the Frontrunner
Ahmedabad’s emergence as the frontrunner was no accident. Over the past decade, Gujarat has undergone a transformation in urban infrastructure, transportation, and tourism development.
Key strengths of the bid include:
- Integrated sports infrastructure: Over a dozen venues ready or nearing completion under the Sports Enclave project, including athletics, swimming, indoor arenas, and cycling tracks.
- Transport and connectivity: The city boasts a robust metro network, expanding expressways, and proximity to international airports in Ahmedabad and Vadodara.
- Accommodation capacity: More than 40,000 hotel rooms across categories, supported by a new influx of hospitality investments.
- Digital readiness: Proposed integration of AI-driven crowd management, real-time logistics tracking, and sustainable event planning under the Smart City Mission.
According to officials, Ahmedabad’s successful hosting of the G20 Urban Summit, National Games 2022 events, and major cricket finals has helped it showcase its organizational maturity to the international community.
Economic & Urban Impact
Hosting the Commonwealth Games could be transformative for Gujarat’s economy, generating thousands of jobs and accelerating infrastructure development timelines.
A recent EY–CII report estimates that multi-sport events of this scale typically generate between ₹30,000–₹45,000 crore in direct and indirect economic impact through tourism, logistics, construction, and retail.
The Gujarat Urban Development Department has already identified urban upgrades—roads, drainage, smart traffic systems, and airport expansion—that could align with Games preparation.
“For every rupee spent on such events, the city gains in visibility, mobility, and civic improvement,” said Dr. Ramesh Bhat, urban economist at IIM Ahmedabad. “If managed prudently, this could be the best legacy investment Gujarat has made in decades.”
Learning from 2010: Cost, Legacy, and Credibility
The shadow of the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games still looms large. While India received global praise for its successful conduct, the Games were marred by cost overruns and governance concerns.
Ahmedabad’s planners appear determined to rewrite that narrative. The 2030 bid focuses on:
- Public-private financing models to limit taxpayer burden.
- Transparency in procurement, backed by third-party audits.
- Legacy use of facilities for national and grassroots programs.
- Zero-waste and carbon-neutral operations, aligning with India’s climate goals.
A draft blueprint seen by Sarhind Times suggests that 85% of venues will be built on existing or repurposed land, significantly reducing ecological impact.
“This is not just about spectacle; it’s about sustainability,” said Sports Authority of Gujarat Chairperson Priya Desai. “We want every rupee invested to deliver value for athletes and citizens long after the Games.”
Voices from the Sporting Fraternity
Athletes and coaches across India have welcomed the development as an opportunity to strengthen domestic training ecosystems.
“Hosting the Games would give Indian athletes home advantage and motivate a new generation,” said PV Sindhu, Olympic medalist and Commonwealth Games champion.
“It also encourages states to invest more in high-performance centres and sports science.”
Former shooter Abhinav Bindra added, “Ahmedabad’s bid emphasizes athlete welfare, which is a promising sign. If executed with integrity, this could redefine India’s sports governance model.”
Global Reactions and Next Steps
The Commonwealth Sport Executive Board, meeting in London, noted Ahmedabad’s proposal was “ambitious yet credible.” The next milestone is the Commonwealth General Assembly vote on November 26, 2025, which will determine whether Ahmedabad is officially awarded hosting rights.
Competing bids from Kuala Lumpur and Edinburgh had earlier expressed interest but did not meet several updated sustainability and readiness benchmarks.
If India secures the bid, Ahmedabad will become the first Indian city outside Delhi to host the Commonwealth Games — and only the third Asian city after Kuala Lumpur (1998) and Delhi (2010) to do so.
The Roadmap to 2030
Preparatory work is already being mapped out under the “Project Shresth Gujarat 2030” task force. Its key phases include:
- 2025–26: Venue finalization, tendering, and master planning.
- 2026–27: Construction and refurbishment of sports infrastructure.
- 2028–29: Test events, volunteer recruitment, and tourism promotion.
- 2030: Operational readiness, Games Village commissioning, and launch of the Games.
The government is also planning a Games Legacy Council to ensure post-event utilization of facilities for public access, training academies, and national championships.
Sustainability and Green Commitments
The Ahmedabad 2030 plan includes ambitious sustainability goals, making it one of the most environment-conscious bids in Commonwealth history.
Highlights include:
- 100% renewable energy for major venues.
- Rainwater harvesting and zero-plastic policies.
- Solar power grids across transport nodes.
- Electric bus corridors and EV charging networks.
- “Green Games” certification with international environmental partners.
“Ahmedabad’s urban climate plan dovetails with its Games blueprint,” said Rohit Deshpande, Chief Planner, Smart City Mission. “It’s about embedding sustainability into civic life, not just for an event.”
Tourism and Cultural Diplomacy
The Games could also serve as a soft-power opportunity for India. Gujarat’s rich heritage—from the Sabarmati Ashram to the Statue of Unity—offers visitors a mix of modernity and tradition.
Tourism departments expect an influx of 2–3 million visitors during the Games period, with packages integrating sports, culture, and wellness tourism.
“We aim to position Ahmedabad as the sports capital of South Asia,” said Tourism Minister Harsh Sanghavi. “Our narrative blends athletic excellence with India’s cultural diversity.”
Local communities, meanwhile, have urged authorities to ensure inclusive participation, supporting neighborhood-level vendors, artisans, and performers.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the optimism, experts warn that execution risks remain significant.
- Budget discipline: Preventing cost escalation amid global material inflation.
- Governance clarity: Streamlining coordination between IOA, Gujarat government, and central ministries.
- Public accountability: Ensuring citizen oversight on expenditure.
- Community engagement: Avoiding displacement and ensuring social equity.
“Hosting is an opportunity, not a trophy,” noted Anita Patil, urban sociologist at CEPT University. “The real success will be judged by how inclusively the city benefits.”
A Symbol of India’s Global Standing
The 2030 Commonwealth Games bid also carries symbolic weight in India’s diplomatic narrative. Coming on the heels of India’s G20 presidency and global development leadership, the Games could showcase “New India’s capacity to deliver world-class, transparent, and sustainable mega-events.”
Analysts see it as part of a continuum of India’s soft power—from yoga diplomacy to space exploration—projecting national confidence through global engagement.
“Sport is becoming the new theatre of diplomacy,” said Ambassador Rajiv Bhatia, former Indian envoy to Myanmar. “Hosting the Commonwealth Games would reaffirm India’s global credentials not just in sports, but in leadership and logistics.”
Conclusion: A City, A Vision, A Legacy
Whether Ahmedabad’s recommendation transforms into a confirmed bid will depend on the Commonwealth Assembly’s final vote. But even at this stage, the endorsement signals recognition of India’s evolving capabilities—urban, organizational, and economic.
Ahmedabad stands at the threshold of history: a city that once led India’s independence movement now poised to lead its global sporting aspirations.
If approved, Ahmedabad 2030 could become more than a sporting milestone—it could embody India’s transformation into a nation that not only participates in global events but defines their future.
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