Boosted by CWG, Ahmedabad targets Olympics
After beeing officially named the 2030 Commonwealth Games host city las week, local officials remain certain they can prevent a repeat of past Summer Games failures as India intends to host the event again, though the country faces major hurdles while pursuing its 2036 aspirations.
In India, the event in six-years-time is seen as a significant stepping stone towards a bid for the 2036 Olympics, with authorities hoping it will position the world's most populous nation as a major sporting destination. Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha welcomed the decision, posting on social media, "As an athlete and as IOA President, I had always dreamed of India hosting the Commonwealth Games. Under the able leadership of our Hon Prime Minister Modi Ji, India has secured the hosting rights for CWG 2030. #TogetherWeDream."
A successful Commonwealth Games could help India move on from the troubled 2010 Delhi edition, which was marred by corruption and delays. Ahmedabad, home to the 130,000-seat Narendra Modi Stadium, set to host the opening and closing ceremonies, will require significant upgrades to roads, metro links, and sports facilities to be ready for the Games in just five years.
Ashwani Kumar, a senior Gujarat official overseeing sport, said Ahmedabad's existing facilities could stage the Games 'with some modifications', while new venues would be completed by late 2028 or early 2029. "We are very confident and have done good homework as a team," Kumar told reporters, noting that a budget had already been prepared, although he did not disclose the figures.
PT Usha hailed the decision to award Ahmedabad the Games. GETTY IMAGES
Beyond the competition venues, substantial upgrades will be required to accommodate the influx of athletes, officials and spectators. Hotels are expected to add thousands of rooms, while construction of a new terminal at the local airport is scheduled to begin next year. "Five years is enough to build our capacity," said Narendra Somani, president of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Gujarat.
"Additionally, we expect the government to introduce some industry-friendly policies to further improve the outlook." Somani acknowledged staffing challenges, adding, "We have a shortage of skilled workers in the hotel sector in Gujarat and will need to hire from other states such as Assam and Punjab."
India's troubled experience in 2010 still casts a shadow over its Olympic ambitions. That edition, intended to showcase India's rise on the global stage, instead drew headlines over incomplete work, poor construction and massive budget overruns. English and Australian swimmers reported falling ill after using Delhi's pool, while other athletes claimed to have found a cobra in their accommodation.
India's national auditor accused the Delhi government of wasteful spending of at least $29 million (€27m) during an 'ill-conceived and ill-planned' beautification drive. The Comptroller and Auditor General also detailed alleged rigging of bids for timekeeping equipment, opening ceremony lighting, and catering contracts. Organisers were criticised for inflating projected revenues to 17.8 billion rupees (€186m), whereas "in reality, total committed revenues amounted to just 6.8 billion rupees (€71m)," the report stated.
Team India
Kumar acknowledged there were 'some challenges' in 2010 but insisted the situation is now very different. "We are well prepared and confident we will deliver the Games to be remembered for years to come," he said, adding, "We don't want to overcommit and would rather learn from past editions elsewhere."
Following confirmation by the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly, development in the Ahmedabad–Gandhinagar region has accelerated, supporting both the 2030 Games and a potential 2036 Olympic bid. Delegates from 74 Commonwealth nations ratified India's bid in Glasgow, marking a key moment for the country's sporting ambitions.
Officials say approval has fast-tracked major projects, including the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave and Police Academy Sports Hub. Gujarat principal secretary Ashwani Kumar confirmed construction will start in April 2026 and finish by late 2028 or early 2029, with funding in place and most venues ready. An organising committee "will be constituted within a month," he added.
The Games will follow a compact model within the Ahmedabad–Gandhinagar corridor, reducing travel and integrating metro, BRTS, and electric mobility. Only cycling at the Statue of Unity and women's cricket in Vadodara will be outside the main cluster.
Ahmedabad will welcome a new airport terminal in 2026. GETTY IMAGES
SVPSE will host aquatic centres, athlete villages, and multiple arenas; Karai Police Academy will stage athletics, shooting, and high-performance sports; and Narendra Modi Stadium will hold the opening and closing ceremonies. Post-Games, facilities will support year-round community sports, elite training, and development pathways, with sustainability, diversity, and inclusion highlighted in CHOGM 2026 and 2028.
Local business leaders expect major transformation. "Hosting the CWG will be a game changer for Ahmedabad," said Tejas Joshi, president of Credai Gujarat. "Improved roads and connectivity will create demand for around 20,000 star-category hotel rooms, boost retail development, and attract new residents."
The city currently has about 5,420 three–five star hotel rooms, with 3,000 more under development, including 1,500 five-star rooms. Upgraded university accommodation will host athletes before reverting to student use. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, handling 13.4m passengers annually, will open a new terminal by 2026, doubling capacity and adding e-gates and self-service kiosks. Planners see the 2030 Games as a stepping stone towards the 2036 Olympics. "World-class sports academies will foster a sporting culture among youth, and the next decade will bring historic developments to the city," Joshi added.
Gujarat's sports sector has grown significantly, with the budget rising from €275,000 two decades ago to €57m today. Programmes like Khel Mahakumbh and Shaktidoot are expanding India's athlete pipeline, while community initiatives such as Active Gujarat and Sabarmati Sundays will promote fitness. The state plans to train 10,000 volunteers and create over 30,000 Games-related jobs by 2030.
The Games, approved by the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly on 26 November, will use multiple venues: SAI Training Centre (hockey), Gujarat Police Academy (athletics, shooting, rugby), GIFT City (marathon, beach volleyball), Naranpura Sports Complex (badminton, gymnastics), South-West Ahmedabad arena (combat sports), EKA Arena (football preliminaries), SVPSE (swimming, gymnastics, cricket, diving, sport climbing), and Kensville Golf Club (golf).