India has officially submitted a bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, a move the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) stated will boost the country’s ambition to stage the 2036 Olympic Games.
An IOA delegation submitted the bid proposal at the Commonwealth Sport headquarters in London on Friday.
“This is not just a bid to stage a sporting event – it is our commitment to the Commonwealth family to deliver Games that are athlete-centred, inclusive, sustainable, and future-facing,” IOA Executive Council member Harpal Singh told Reuters in a telephone interview from London.
He added, “Our vision is to use this milestone not only to honour the past but to set the stage for the future – ensuring the Games remain relevant, impactful, and viable for the next century.”
India’s federal government had earlier approved the signing of the Host Collaboration Agreement (HCA), along with necessary guarantees from relevant ministries. Singh described the development as a “proud moment” that brings the country closer to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “vision of bringing the Olympic Games 2036 to India.”
“Successfully hosting the Commonwealth Games will demonstrate our nation’s capability, strengthen our international credibility, and lay the foundation for the Olympic journey ahead,” Singh noted.
India faces competition from Canada and Nigeria, with the host city for the 2030 Games set to be announced at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow this November.
The Commonwealth Games have struggled to attract hosts in recent years. Glasgow will stage a scaled-down version in 2026 after the original host, Victoria in Australia, withdrew due to rising costs.
Similarly, the 2022 edition was shifted to Birmingham after Durban, South Africa, pulled out over financial constraints.
