At its Special General Meeting (SGM) held in New Delhi on Wednesday, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) formally accepted the nation’s candidacy to organize the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Top authorities stated that India would stage a “inclusive” edition that included all “medal-earning” sports.
With Ahmedabad serving as the host city, India has already submitted an Expression of Interest for the 2030 CWG. However, before the deadline of August 31, the country must submit the suggestions for the final bid.
In addition to Ahmedabad, 2010 host Delhi and Bhubaneswar will also be taken into consideration, according to IOA President PT Usha.
“I’m happy that all are together and it was a unanimous decision. Our preparations will go ahead. We can’t just tell whether Ahmedabad is the host city. We have good facilities in Bhubaneswar and even in Delhi also. We will very soon announce where the Games will be held,” Usha said after the SGM that lasted just over half an hour.
“The 2026 Glasgow CWG is a scaled down Games because of circumstances. If we get 2030 CWG, it will be full-fledged one just like we did in 2010,” she added, alluding to the 2026 Glasgow edition’s trimmed lineup, which excludes popular sports like shooting, badminton, hockey, and wrestling because of financial concerns.
When asked if there is a possibility that more than one city may host the 2030 CWG, IOA CEO Raghuram Iyer responded, “we cannot say anything as of now.”
India’s prospects of winning the 2030 CWG have improved as Canada withdrew from the competition.
“The plan is to have all our medal-earning sports like shooting, archery, wrestling etc. Our traditional sports like kabaddi, kho kho, and yoga should also be there,” IOA joint secretary Kalyan Chaubey said.
Recently, a group of representatives from Commonwealth Sport (formerly CGF), under the direction of its Director of Games Darren Hall, traveled to Ahmedabad to tour the facilities and speak with representatives of the Gujarati government.
Asked about the feedback from the Commonwealth Sport delegation, Iyer said, “I was part of the delegation and they came to look at the venues and the readiness of all the things that are going to be available at the venues and the infrastructure. Overall they have gone back happy and by the end of the month, now that we have the go ahead of the General Body, we will be putting in the proposals.”
Later this month or in September, a larger Commonwealth Sport group is anticipated to visit India.
“We will have all the sports we are good at and have a chance of winning maximum medals,” said Executive Council member Rohit Rajpal.
“There are three groups of sports. First is core sports of the Commonwealth Games which are always there, then are sports which the host nation can choose and the third one are the additional sports. The 2030 will be an inclusive Games and will feature our traditional and indigenous sports also,” Rajpal added.
The host nation will be chosen by the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow during the final week of November. The 2010 edition of the multisport competition was held in Delhi, India.
