India secured the hosting rights for the 2030 Commonwealth Games on Wednesday, with Ahmedabad chosen as the host city for the centenary edition of the multi-sport event, marking the country's return to organizing a major international competition after the 2010 Delhi Games. The decision was ratified by delegates from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow, Scotland, following a recommendation from the Executive Board last month. The selection of Ahmedabad over rival bidder Abuja, Nigeria, underscores the city's robust infrastructure and India's strategic bid, which emphasized sustainability, inclusivity, and alignment with the Commonwealth Sport's "Games Reset" principles aimed at reducing costs and broadening participation.

The 2030 Games, set to commemorate the inaugural event held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930, will feature 15 to 17 sports, including core disciplines like athletics, swimming, table tennis, bowls, weightlifting, artistic gymnastics, netball, and boxing, with para-sports fully integrated. Additional events under consideration include archery, badminton, 3x3 basketball, beach volleyball, T20 cricket, cycling, diving, hockey, judo, rhythmic gymnastics, rugby sevens, shooting, squash, triathlon, and wrestling, allowing Ahmedabad to propose up to two new or traditional sports for local resonance. This expanded program contrasts with the scaled-down Glasgow 2026 edition, which cut several sports due to budget constraints, and positions the Ahmedabad Games as a vibrant celebration of the Commonwealth's diversity.

Commonwealth Sport President Dr. Donald Rukare hailed the choice as the dawn of a "new golden era," praising India's scale, youth, ambition, and sporting passion, while noting strong interest from other nations for 2034 hosting rights. Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha echoed this sentiment, stating the event would unite athletes, communities, and cultures in friendship and progress, laying the groundwork for the next century of the Commonwealth movement. The bid evaluation process rigorously assessed criteria such as technical delivery, athlete experience, infrastructure, governance, and value alignment, with Nigeria's proposal deferred for future consideration to support African hosting ambitions.

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Ahmedabad's selection bolsters India's broader vision, including its bid for the 2036 Olympics in the same city, and builds on recent upgrades to venues like the Narendra Modi Stadium—the world's largest with a 132,000 capacity—and the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave. The city has already hosted events like the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in August and the Asian Aquatics Championships in October, demonstrating readiness at facilities developed at a cost of around Rs 850 crore. This milestone revives the Games' momentum after challenges, including Victoria's withdrawal from 2026 and Durban's from 2022, by prioritizing cost-effective, athlete-centered models.

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