Union Home Minister Hails Ahmedabad’s 2030 Games Endorsement
London: Ahmedabad moved a step closer to hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games after the Executive Board of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) today recommended the city as the official host, subject to ratification by the General Assembly next month. The decision, made in London and announced by the Commonwealth Sport Executive Board, marks a major milestone in India’s bid to bring the Games back after nearly three decades. The final decision will be taken on November 26, 2025, at the CGF General Assembly in Glasgow, where all member nations will vote on the recommendation.
The endorsement follows India’s formal presentation to the CGF Evaluation Committee in September, led by a delegation comprising senior officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Indian Olympic Association, and the Gujarat state government. The proposal positioned Ahmedabad as a compact, modern, and accessible host city capable of delivering what Indian officials described as an “inclusive, sustainable, and athlete-centred” Games.
According to officials familiar with the evaluation, Ahmedabad’s selection was influenced by its infrastructure readiness, notably the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave near the Narendra Modi Stadium — the world’s largest cricket venue. The enclave, currently under construction, is scheduled for completion by 2028 and will form the nucleus of the Games infrastructure. The bid also highlighted Ahmedabad’s transport connectivity, accommodation capacity, and experience in hosting large international events, including the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup final.
The Union Cabinet had approved India’s bid in August, describing Ahmedabad as the “ideal host city” for the 2030 Games. The central government’s endorsement followed technical assessments of urban readiness, environmental compliance, and financial feasibility. The proposal promised a “Games for all” approach, integrating para-sports, sustainability objectives, and post-Games community use of facilities.
In the evening, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah expressed happiness over the Commonwealth Association’s approval of India’s bid to host the Games in Ahmedabad. In a post on the X platform, Shah said, “A day of immense joy and pride for India. Heartiest congratulations to every citizen of India on the Commonwealth Association’s approval of India’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games 2030 in Ahmedabad. It is a grand endorsement of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s relentless efforts to place India on the world sports map. Raising world-class infrastructure and raising a nationwide pool of sports talent, Modi Ji has made India a marvel of a sports destination.”
The Ministry of Home Affairs, in a statement issued later, reiterated that the development represented a significant endorsement of India’s growing sporting profile. It described the CGF’s approval as a “grand endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s relentless efforts to place India on the world sports map” and underlined the government’s focus on strengthening infrastructure and nurturing sports talent nationwide.
If ratified, this would be India’s third time hosting the Commonwealth Games and Gujarat’s first major international multi-sport event. India last hosted the Games in New Delhi in 2010. The Ahmedabad Games, proposed for October 2030, are expected to feature over 70 nations and territories and an estimated 4,500 athletes.
The Gujarat government has begun early-stage preparations. The Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority has rezoned about 200 hectares of land across Shilaj, Manipur, Palodia, Godhavi, Nidhrad, and Kaneti for sports, residential, and transport infrastructure aligned with the proposed Games plan. Work is also underway on a new hospitality policy aimed at expanding hotel and tourism capacity in anticipation of major international sporting events such as the Commonwealth Games and the possible Olympic bid for 2036.
While the recommendation represents a significant step forward, the CGF’s final approval in November remains pending. The evaluation report confirmed that Ahmedabad met all technical benchmarks but noted that aspects such as financial guarantees, governance frameworks, and long-term legacy planning would be reviewed before formal ratification.
The latest development also reflects India’s wider ambition to position Ahmedabad as a global sporting hub. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently underlined the role of sports infrastructure as a key component of national growth. If confirmed, the 2030 Games would mark India’s return to hosting major international multi-sport events after a 20-year gap, reaffirming its standing in global sport.
– global bihari bureau
