The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will anchor another landmark event in the global sporting history. India’s sporting renaissance will trace back to Delhi's triumphant 2010 Commonwealth Games, the edition,
which featured Usain Bolt's bolt-from-the-blue debut along with India's 101-medal haul, proving the subcontinent's mettle. In a landmark decision that celebrates a century of Commonwealth sporting heritage, India has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games, marking the second time in two decades that India will host the multi-sport extravaganza.
Indian city Ahmedabad, triumphed over Nigeria's capital Abuja in a closely contested evaluation by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), with formal ratification slated for the organization's general assembly here on November 26. “We see the 2030 Games as a powerful opportunity to inspire our youth, strengthen international partnerships and contribute to a shared future across the Commonwealth,” Dr. P.T. Usha, president of the Commonwealth Games Association India (CGAI) and a former athlete, reportedly declared. The victory lap for Ahmedabad caps a five-month bidding war that showcased the CGF's revamped, cost-conscious format slashing sports from 20 to 13, athletes from 5,000 to 3,500, and venues from 15 to just eight.
After Abuja’s second snub, Africa still have to wait for hosting continent’s first Commonwealth Games
This blueprint for India’s hosting the event was reportedly born from financial fiascos like Victoria's 2026 withdrawal and Durban's 2022 pullout, which lured ambitious bids from India, Nigeria, and others including Halifax (Canada) and Medellín (Colombia). Meanwhile, for Africa, the decision prolongs a heartbreaking drought. Abuja's second snub, after losing the 2014 edition to Glasgow means the continent's 54 nations must wait longer for its first Commonwealth Games.
Reactions reportedly came from all over the country over this, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeting, “A day of immense joy and pride for India. Heartiest congratulations to every citizen of India on Commonwealth Association's approval of India's bid to host the Commonwealth Games 2030 in Ahmedabad.” Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel also wrote on social media, “A proud moment for Gujarat and India! Ahmedabad has been recommended as the proposed host city for the 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games by the Executive Board of Commonwealth Sport. This historic milestone advances our vision of making Ahmedabad the Sporting Capital of India…”
