Ahmedabad: The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has acknowledged India’s bid to host the 2038 Asian Games in Ahmedabad and announced that an evaluation team will soon visit the city to examine its preparedness.

In a statement released after its Executive Board meeting in Sanya, the OCA said it had formally received and welcomed the bid submitted by the Indian Olympic Association, marking a key milestone in India’s efforts to host another major international multi-sport event.

The council noted that several strategic issues related to the future of sports in Asia were discussed during the meeting, with India’s proposal emerging as a major highlight.

The 2038 Asian Games may be rescheduled to 2039 as the OCA plans to shift the event to odd-numbered years to better align with the Olympic cycle. Under this approach, future editions are likely to be held a year before the Olympics, with the 2030 and 2034 Games expected to move to 2031 and 2035, respectively. The Games will also serve as Olympic qualifiers for several disciplines.

OCA President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and Executive Board members praised India’s vision, commending its ambition to host Asia’s premier sporting event and appreciating Ahmedabad’s proposal to stage the continental competition.

As part of the next phase, the OCA will constitute an Inspection and Evaluation Committee comprising international and Asian experts. This panel is expected to visit Ahmedabad in the coming months to conduct a detailed on-ground assessment.

The delegation will review key aspects, including sports infrastructure, venues, logistics, operational planning, financial provisions, and overall readiness, before submitting a technical report to the Executive Board. The findings will be discussed at the next meeting scheduled in Nagoya in September, alongside the Asian Games.

India’s interest in hosting the 2038 Asian Games aligns with its broader push to establish itself as a global sporting destination. Following its bid for the 2036 Olympics and securing the 2030 Commonwealth Games, the country has now set its sights on hosting the continental event, with Ahmedabad at the centre stage of these efforts.

Earlier, the IOA had formally conveyed its interest to the OCA. IOA Chief Executive Raghuram Iyer confirmed that discussions are ongoing, with India keen to bring the Games home.

The 2038 edition remains the next open slot on the Asian Games calendar, with upcoming editions scheduled in Japan (2026), Qatar (2030), and Saudi Arabia (2034). Besides India, countries such as South Korea and Mongolia have also expressed interest in hosting the event.

The final decision on the host city for the 2038 Asian Games will be made during a meeting in Nagoya, Japan, in September 2026. If Ahmedabad wins the bid, it would be a historic moment for both the city and the country. DeshGujarat