Ahemdad: Amdavad, India has been officially awarded the hosting rights for the 2030 Commonwealth Games during the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly held in Glasgow, Scotland. “This decision marks a historic moment for both India and the Commonwealth Sport Movement, as the 2030 edition will celebrate the centenary of the Games: a hundred years of sporting excellence, unity, and shared progress among Commonwealth nations,” an official statement said.

The announcement is a moment of pride for India and a reflection of the country’s growing global stature in sport and event management. The bid, built on the theme “New Age Games for a New Century,” impressed the General Assembly with its vision, inclusivity, and sustainability. It aligns closely with the Commonwealth Sport’s Games Reset principles of affordability, flexibility, inclusivity, and long-term legacy.

Amdavad’s Games plan presents a compact, modern, and athlete-centric approach. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, one of the largest multi-sport developments in Asia, will serve as the focal point of the Games, supported by other state-of-the-art facilities such as the Gujarat Police Academy at Karai and the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex. These venues, combined with integrated transport networks, advanced accommodation facilities, and digital infrastructure, ensure readiness well ahead of 2030. The Games will integrate para-sports, ensure accessibility, and set benchmarks in sustainability with renewable-powered venues, low-emission transport, and zero-waste operations.

Hosting the Games will accelerate Gujarat’s transformation into India’s sporting capital, drive urban renewal, create jobs, boost tourism, and promote active living among citizens. The bid is strongly supported by key national reforms – the National Sports Policy 2025, National Sports Governance Act 2025, and National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill 2025, which collectively strengthen transparency, governance, and athlete welfare across the Indian sports ecosystem.

The Games will be delivered through close collaboration between the Government of India, the Government of Gujarat, and the Commonwealth Games Association of India (CGA India). The proposal presentation before the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly was delivered by a delegation comprising key officials: Ashwini Kumar, Principal Secretary, Sports, Youth & Cultural Activities Department, Government of Gujarat; Kunal, Joint Secretary (Sports), Government of India; Banchhanidhi Pani, Municipal Commissioner, Ahmedabad; and Raghu Iyer, Chief Executive Officer, Commonwealth Games Association of India. Their coordinated effort and alignment across all key stakeholders towards planning for the Games played a pivotal role in presenting a unified and compelling presentation before the General Assembly.

Mansukh L. Mandaviya, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, remarked, “The Commonwealth Games 2030 in Amdavad will be a celebration of India’s growth story and its commitment to sport as a vehicle for national development. This milestone reinforces our vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and strengthens India’s standing as a global leader in hosting impactful, inclusive, and sustainable sporting events.”

Speaking on the occasion, Harsh Sanghavi, Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, said, “This is a proud moment for Gujarat and for India. Hosting the Centenary Commonwealth Games is both an honour and a responsibility. Amdavad is ready to welcome the world with a celebration that reflects India’s progress, inclusivity, and hospitality. These Games will not only showcase our infrastructure and talent but also our values — unity, sustainability, and excellence.”

Dr, PT Usha, President of the Commonwealth Games Association of India also added, “We are deeply honoured by the trust shown by Commonwealth Sport. The 2030 Games will not only celebrate a hundred years of the Commonwealth Movement but also lay the foundation for the next century. It will bring together athletes, communities, and cultures from across the Commonwealth in a spirit of friendship and progress.”

Dr Donald Rukare, President of Commonwealth Sport said: “India’s formal ratification as the Host of the 2030 Commonwealth Games with the city of Amdavad marks a defining moment for the Commonwealth movement. As the world’s most populous nation, India brings scale, youth, ambition, rich culture and enormous sporting passion to the Centenary Games. Their proposal is bold and aligned with our vision for a more inclusive and future-focused Commonwealth Sport.”

With its focus on legacy, inclusivity, and collaboration, Amdavad’s hosting of the Centenary Games promises to deliver an event that honours the past, celebrates the present, and shapes the future of the Commonwealth Sport Movement. DeshGujarat