Ahmedabad has taken a step closer to achieving history by establishing itself as the host to the 2030 Commonwealth Games, as the Union Cabinet formally approved to submit an India bid. The move is a significant milestone in the sporting history of the country, since Ahmedabad is not only in the pursuit of hosting the coveted foreign tournament, but it is also at the threshold of being a global sporting venue in the future. The clearance of the Cabinet allows the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to enter into agreements with the Commonwealth Games Federation and to extend monetary support to Gujarat in hosting the Games in case of a successful bid.
Ahmedabad city has long been waiting to see this day when the city develops world-class infrastructure to match global standards. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave is the main attraction and will be a 236-acre complex with statues of athletics, aquatics, football, indoor sports and housing facilities. Also, the world’s biggest stadium in cricket, Narendra Modi Stadium, has already demonstrated its potential by hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup final in 2023. Such facilities will be the backbone of the Ahmedabad Commonwealth Games plan.
The government has also been keen on enhancing connectivity and hospitality in the city along with sports venues. The roadmap of expansion of the international airport, an improvement of the metro and BRT corridors, and the construction of new hotels and convention centers are all included in the roadmap of accommodating the huge number of athletes, officials, media personnel, and tourists that the global event of this magnitude brings. It is expected to be an extremely powerful economic boost, creating jobs and increasing tourism and providing a huge boost to local businesses.
It is not about the Commonwealth Games alone, but a bigger picture in the eyes of India as far as this bid is concerned. The 2030 Games are being viewed as a bridge to the Olympic Games 2036 and Ahmedabad again is being cited as the host city. Through the success of the Commonwealth Games, India would also be able to showcase its organizational capability, infrastructure preparedness and its capability to host mega sporting events.
Under this Cabinet approval, the route has been officially cleared for the bid of Ahmedabad. The Commonwealth Games Federation will have the last say but India is better prepared, has the infrastructure, and political will to compete. Assuming that the bid is successful, Ahmedabad will be the first Indian city to host the Commonwealth Games which will position Gujarat and the country squarely on the world sporting radar.
