India has taken a major step toward hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) unanimously approved the country’s bid during a Special General Meeting held in New Delhi on Wednesday. This decision brings India closer to staging the prestigious multi-sport event on home soil for the first time since the 2010 Games in New Delhi.
With Canada withdrawing its bid in June, India now faces fewer competitors, with Nigeria and a handful of other nations remaining in the race. The final bid submission deadline is August 31, adding urgency to the preparations.
IOA President PT Usha expressed satisfaction with the unanimous decision but remained cautious about confirming Ahmedabad as the host city. While Ahmedabad is currently the front-runner, having recently hosted Commonwealth Sport officials for venue inspections, Delhi and Bhubaneswar are also under consideration due to their strong sports-friendly infrastructure.
Ahmedabad has welcomed Director of Games Darren Hall and state officials, and a larger inspection team is expected soon, signaling significant momentum for the city’s bid.
The move recalls India’s most successful Commonwealth Games, the 2010 Delhi event, where the country earned a record 101 medals, including 38 golds. By contrast, India won 61 medals at the 2022 Birmingham Games, its second-best recent showing.
India’s 2030 bid aims to revive the Games with a full program, unlike the scaled-down 2026 Glasgow edition, which will exclude several major sports such as hockey, badminton, wrestling, and shooting. IOA officials have pledged an inclusive Games, featuring all medal sports and advocating for the addition of traditional Indian sports like kho kho and kabaddi to add a unique cultural element.
The final host city will be decided by the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow this November. For India, winning the bid would not only mean hosting a major sporting event but also demonstrating its growing capacity and ambitions on the global stage.
With the decision deadline fast approaching, Indian sports fans are hopeful the country will once again host the Commonwealth Games, bringing world-class competition to home soil and a chance to cheer on their athletes.
