Ahmedabad: In a major development for India’s sporting ambitions, Ahmedabad has been recommended as the host city for the 24th Commonwealth Games in 2030, which will mark the centenary of the international multi-sport event. The decision was made by the Executive Board of Commonwealth Sport, with the final approval to be decided by the organisation’s General Assembly in November 2025.

The proposed hosting of the 2030 Games in India comes as a testament to the country’s sustained commitment to nurturing a sporting culture across the country. The government’s emphasis on athlete development through initiatives such as Khelo India, alongside large-scale infrastructure investments, has been widely credited for India’s emergence on the global sporting stage.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah welcomed the announcement, describing it as a "historic moment" and attributing the achievement to Prime Minister Modi’s "persistent efforts" in transforming India’s sporting landscape. He noted that India’s world-class infrastructure and growing pool of international-standard athletes had played a crucial role in securing the recommendation.

Gujarat’s Chief Minister, Bhupendra Patel, hailed the selection of Ahmedabad as "a proud moment for both Gujarat and India." He praised the Prime Minister’s leadership and expressed readiness to deliver a Games that would reflect the aspirations of a modern, confident India.

The President of the Commonwealth Games Association of India, PT Usha, described the centenary edition as a "Games for the Future," with a focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation. “This is an opportunity to strengthen the Commonwealth Sport Movement and create a legacy that reaches far beyond India's borders,” she said.

India’s Minister of Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, called the prospective 2030 Games "a moment of pride for every Indian," underscoring the event’s alignment with the country’s broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 — a roadmap towards becoming a developed nation. He highlighted sport’s potential to unite, inspire, and drive social inclusion.

Echoing this sentiment, Gujarat’s Sports Minister Harsh Sanghavi emphasised the symbolic significance of hosting the centenary edition in Ahmedabad. “It’s not just about hosting a global sporting event — it’s about showcasing the new India: confident, capable, inclusive, and forward-looking,” he said.

The Games proposal, jointly submitted by the Government of India, the Government of Gujarat, and the Commonwealth Games Association of India, was praised for its alignment with the Commonwealth Sport Movement’s updated ‘Games Reset’ principles, which prioritise affordability, sustainability, inclusivity, and long-term legacy.

Should the bid be ratified next year, the 2030 Commonwealth Games will not only celebrate a century of sporting excellence but also reinforce India’s ambition to position itself as a global hub for sport. The event is expected to drive urban development, youth engagement, and international cooperation, cementing India’s role as a key player in the future of global athletics.

(With ANI inputs)