New Delhi: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has approved the country’s bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, marking a significant step in India’s ambition to stage major global sporting events.
The decision was taken unanimously during the IOA’s Special General Meeting (SGM), held just weeks before the final bid submission deadline on August 31.
The bid follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s repeated assertions that India aims to host the 2036 Olympic Games, a goal that experts say will require a strong record of successfully organizing high-profile international competitions.
While India has already submitted an expression of interest naming Ahmedabad as the proposed host city, IOA President P.T. Usha indicated that Delhi and Bhubaneswar are also under consideration.
“I am happy that we are all together, and it was a unanimous decision. We have excellent facilities in Bhubaneswar and Delhi. We can’t say outright that Ahmedabad is the host city,” Usha said after the SGM, which lasted just over half an hour. If awarded, the 2030 Games would be India’s second time hosting the multi-sport event, after the 2010 edition in New Delhi.
India’s chances of winning the bid have improved significantly following Canada’s withdrawal from the race. IOA joint secretary Kalyan Chaubey said the country’s proposal will focus on showcasing both medal-rich sports such as shooting, archery, and wrestling, as well as traditional Indian disciplines like kabaddi and kho kho.
“The plan is to have all our medal-earning sports and also our traditional sports. This will be a game that reflects both modern excellence and Indian heritage,” Chaubey said.
The host for the 2030 Commonwealth Games will be decided by the General Assembly of Commonwealth Sport during its meeting in Glasgow later this year.
If successful, the Games would further cement India’s growing profile in the global sporting landscape and serve as a major stepping stone towards the country’s Olympic ambitions.
