New Delhi: India has expressed its interest in hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games, designating Ahmedabad as the proposed host city. PT Usha, the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), has communicated this intention in a letter to Chris Jenkins, the president of the Commonwealth Games Federation.

An official from the IOA confirmed to HT, "The IOA has formally submitted the Expression of Interest for the 2030 Games. Additionally, a letter of support from the Gujarat government has been included."

The deadline for submitting bids for the Games is March 31. India previously hosted the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in 2010.

Last month, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya indicated the government's plans to bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which will coincide with the centenary celebration of the event. This edition is anticipated to play a significant role in India's preparations for the 2036 Olympics. India has also submitted a letter of intent to the International Olympic Committee’s Future Hosts Commission.

The Gujarat government is actively enhancing sports infrastructure in Ahmedabad in anticipation of the 2036 Olympics, with projects valued at ₹6,000 crore underway. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (SVP) Sports Enclave is undergoing renovations, and an athletes’ village is planned in close proximity. A state-of-the-art athletics stadium is being constructed in Karai, Gandhinagar, which will also accommodate rugby and football. Furthermore, a multi-purpose indoor stadium will be part of this complex, and another multi-purpose stadium is being designed at the Naranpura Sports Complex in Ahmedabad for various sports, including swimming, badminton, and squash. A velodrome is also under construction in Gandhinagar.

The Commonwealth Games faced challenges when Australia’s Victoria state withdrew as the host for the 2026 Games due to rising costs. Although Gold Coast offered to co-host, they too eventually withdrew, complicating the search for a host nation for the Commonwealth Games Federation.

Glasgow, which previously hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2014, has been awarded the 2026 edition. However, this upcoming event will feature a diminished program, with only 10 sports being contested across four venues, a significant reduction compared to the 20 disciplines included in the 2022 Birmingham Games.

Should India be selected to host the 2030 Games, it would mark a return to a comprehensive sports program, with wrestling, shooting, table tennis, badminton, squash, archery, and hockey anticipated to return. None of these sports will be featured in next year's Games.

In January, senior officials from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), including Jenkins, visited India to engage in discussions first with the sports ministry and subsequently with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

The CGF has also introduced a revised bidding process, akin to the host city selection method utilized by the International Olympic Committee. 

According to the CGF, “The new approach will commence with an initial phase of co-creation and collaboration between the CGF and representatives from potential host countries or territories, along with their respective Commonwealth Games Associations (CGA). This will be followed by a CGF-led evaluation process and a recommendation for a host, with the final decision made by the CGF General Assembly.”

Jenkins has emphasized the need to reset and redefine the Commonwealth Games as a “co-created, flexible, and sustainable model” for the future. The new framework will focus on minimizing costs, maximizing legacy benefits, reducing carbon emissions, and enhancing social impacts.

Host nations will now enjoy greater flexibility in tailoring the Games to benefit local communities, allowing for a more innovative, inclusive, and engaging sports program.

Read Also: Kirsty Coventry has been appointed as the first female president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)

"Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!"