India has officially submitted its bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, marking a significant step towards its ambition of staging the 2036 Olympic Games. A senior official from the Sports Ministry confirmed the submission to news agency Press Trust of India.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) sent the ‘Expression of Interest’ before the March 31 deadline, aligning with the state’s and central government’s vision to establish India as a major sporting destination.
Ahmedabad has been earmarked as the city to host the 2030 CWG if India’s bid is successful. Additionally, it is the leading candidate for India’s proposed 2036 Olympic Games hosting plan. The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), now known as Commonwealth Sport, will oversee the evaluation process, with the final decision being made by the CGF General Assembly.
The decision to submit the bid follows a recent statement by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, affirming India’s intent to host the Games. India, which last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010, is also actively pursuing the opportunity to stage the 2036 Olympics.
Previously, India had proposed hosting additional disciplines that were excluded from the 2026 Commonwealth Games to safeguard its medal prospects, but the CGF rejected the proposal. However, CGF CEO Katie Sadleir expressed support for India’s bid to host the 2030 CWG, suggesting it as a positive step toward its Olympic ambitions.
The Commonwealth Games have struggled to find hosts in recent years, with the 2026 edition facing uncertainty after Victoria, Australia, withdrew due to financial concerns. Glasgow stepped in to rescue the event, but the revised plan features a limited schedule of 10 sports at four venues.
Multi-sport events have been a rarity in India. India hosted the inaugural edition of the Asian Games in 1951. The Asian Games returned to the Indian shores in 1982. In 2010 India held the Commonwealth Games.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi first highlighted India’s aspiration to host the 2036 Olympics during the 2023 International Olympic Committee (IOC) session in Mumbai.
However, India faces stiff competition from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, who are also vying to host the 2036 Olympics. A final decision is not expected before 2026, but the process has gained momentum, particularly after the IOC successfully held its annual session in Greece, electing former Olympic champion Kirsty Coventry as its first female president.
India has already submitted a ‘Letter of Intent’ to host the Olympics, progressing from the “Informal Dialogue” to the “Continuous Dialogue” stage in the selection process. During this phase, the IOC will conduct a feasibility study to assess India’s preparedness and the viability of its proposed projects for hosting the Games.
The Sportz Planet Desk
