India has officially submitted its bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games (CWG) in Ahmedabad, marking a significant step toward its larger ambition of securing the 2036 Olympics.
If successful, it will be the second time India hosts the CWG, with the last edition being held in Delhi in 2010. However, the bid has sparked a debate: Should India be hosting the CWG at all, or should it focus on other priorities like the Asian Games and the Olympics?
India’s Growing Sports Infrastructure
The Gujarat government is already investing heavily in sports infrastructure, with projects worth ₹6,000 crore planned in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. Some key developments include:
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (SVP) Sports Enclave is being renovated, with an athletes’ village planned nearby.
• A state-of-the-art athletics stadium in Karai, Gandhinagar, which can also host rugby and football.
• A multi-purpose indoor stadium for sports like badminton, squash, and swimming in Ahmedabad’s Naranpura Sports Complex.
• A world-class velodrome in Gandhinagar for cycling events.
These projects align with India’s long-term vision of hosting the 2036 Olympics, making the 2030 CWG a potential test run for the nation’s ability to organize a global multi-sport event.
Lessons from the 2010 Commonwealth Games
The Delhi 2010 CWG was a watershed moment for Indian sports, boosting interest and investment. However, it was also marred by controversies, including allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and infrastructural delays.
While India delivered an excellent competition on the sporting front—finishing second in the medal tally with 101 medals—the negative global perception surrounding the event raised doubts about its ability to host future mega-events. If India is to host the 2030 CWG, it must ensure better financial planning, transparency, and infrastructure readiness to avoid repeating past mistakes.
Challenges and Concerns
1. The Commonwealth Games’ Declining Importance
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has struggled to find hosts in recent years. Victoria (Australia) withdrew from hosting the 2026 CWG, citing massive cost overruns. The CGF later awarded the Games to Glasgow, which will now organize a scaled-down version with only 10 sports—far fewer than the 20 sports in Birmingham 2022, where India won 61 medals.
Moreover, key sports for India like wrestling, shooting, hockey, and badminton have been removed from the 2026 programme. This raises the question: Is investing in CWG 2030 worthwhile when its future appears uncertain?
2. Focus on Asian Games & Olympics Instead?
Critics argue that India should prioritize the Asian Games and the Olympics over the CWG. Unlike the Commonwealth Games, which feature limited global competition, the Asian Games have stronger competition, especially from China, Japan, and South Korea.
• India finished fourth in the 2023 Asian Games, winning 107 medals, its best-ever performance.
• Investing in elite training for Olympic sports would yield greater long-term benefits.
Hosting the Asian Games before the Olympics would also serve as a more relevant test run. Countries like China (Beijing 2008, Hangzhou 2023) and Japan (Tokyo 1964, Tokyo 2020) hosted the Asian Games before their Olympic bids. Should India follow the same path instead of prioritizing CWG 2030?
3. Financial Burden & Potential Risks
Hosting the CWG is expensive and often leads to cost overruns. Given the economic uncertainty around the event (as seen with Victoria’s withdrawal), India needs to assess whether spending thousands of crores on a tournament with diminishing relevance is justified.
Why Hosting CWG 2030 Could Still Be a Smart Move
Despite the concerns, hosting the 2030 CWG could have strategic benefits for India:
1. Building Hosting Credentials for the 2036 Olympics
• Successfully hosting a multi-sport event will strengthen India’s bid for the 2036 Olympics, proving its capability to handle large-scale tournaments.
2. Boosting Sports Infrastructure & Talent Development
• The investment in sports venues and athlete training will have long-term benefits for Indian sports.
• It could encourage grassroots development and create world-class facilities for future generations.
3. Enhancing India’s Global Image
• A well-organized CWG could improve India’s reputation as a sporting destination.
• It could attract more sponsorships, investments, and tourism.
4. Economic Growth & Job Creation
• Mega sporting events boost local economies, generate employment opportunities, and improve urban infrastructure.
• Ahmedabad’s economy could benefit significantly from tourism and international business during the Games.
Final Verdict: Should India Host the 2030 CWG?
The decision to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a double-edged sword.
• If India wants a dress rehearsal for the 2036 Olympics, hosting the CWG makes sense—but only if transparency, financial prudence, and proper planning are ensured.
• If the focus is purely on athletic development, investing in the Asian Games and Olympics would be a wiser choice.
With the CWG’s reduced importance and financial risks, India must carefully evaluate its priorities before committing to the 2030 Games. Whatever decision is made, it should align with India’s long-term sporting ambitions.
