Nigeria, India Bid For 2030 Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Sports President Donald Rukare has commended Nigeria and India for their ‘dynamic and ambitious’ aspirations to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.

Both nations have submitted formal proposals to host the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games. Canada, which hosted the inaugural Commonwealth Games in 1930 in Hamilton, was anticipated to be in contention but ultimately did not submit a bid.

Nigeria aims to host the Games for the first time after losing its bid to Glasgow, Scotland, in 2014. Meanwhile, India, which hosted the 2010 edition of the Games in Delhi, is pursuing the 2030 event as part of its broader ambitions to host the 2036 Olympic Games in Ahmedabad.

“This positive response from two sporting powerhouse nations of the Commonwealth demonstrates the ongoing significance and legacy potential of the Commonwealth Games, as well as the strength and appeal of our reimagined, sustainable Games model,” President Rukare stated in a release yesterday.

“The Commonwealth Sport team has been inspired by the National Sports Policies presented and is excited about how the Games can further national ambitions and create legacy benefits for local communities.”

Reuters reports that these bids are encouraging news for the multi-sport event, particularly after concerns that Glasgow 2026 might be the last Commonwealth Games.

Scotland’s Glasgow is set to host a scaled-down version of the Games next year after the Australian state of Victoria, the original host, withdrew due to rising costs.