India raises stakes after Commonwealth Games
Home Affairs and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah signalled the country's intention to pursue the Olympic Games in 2036, amid expanding sports infrastructure and following confirmation of the 2030 Commonwealth Games host city.
Shah, one of the most influential political figures in Narendra Modi's government, placed Ahmedabad back in the global spotlight when he stated the city is moving towards bidding for the 2036 Olympic Games.
His remarks, delivered during the closing ceremony of the Sansad Khel Mahotsav in Gujarat, gained weight due to the context and the scale of ambition they projected. Addressing the audience, he said, "be prepared, because the city is also going to welcome the Olympics in 2036", a line that blended domestic confidence with an outward-looking vision.
The comment came days after Ahmedabad was selected to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, a milestone that reshaped expectations and accelerated the infrastructure agenda. Shah noted that the city will stage nearly a dozen national and international events before 2036, including the Commonwealth Games themselves, consolidating a steady cycle of preparation. Ahmedabad, a metropolis of more than six million residents located roughly 900 kilometres by road from New Delhi, is supporting its aspiration with a network of projects aimed at transforming its sporting and urban scale.
India’s Home Affairs and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah. GETTY IMAGES
He highlighted major investments such as the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, built with a budget of ₹8bn (€76m) in his Gandhinagar constituency, and the development of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave in Motera, conceived as a cornerstone of India’s future sporting ecosystem.
Throughout his address, Shah appealed to regional pride and competitive drive, urging Gujarat to pursue becoming the most decorated state when the hypothetical Games arrive. He added, "I am confident that when the Olympics will be held here, India will be among the top five countries in the medal tally", reflecting the government’s belief in the country’s rising sporting trajectory.
The minister linked this outlook to the sustained growth of the national sports budget, which, as he recalled, increased from ₹8bn (€76m) in 2014 to ₹40bn (€381m) in 2025. According to the government, this rise has contributed to India’s improved results in international competitions and forms part of a broader plan for social development, modern infrastructure and global visibility.
Signboard promoting the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad. GETTY IMAGES
Shah's day in Ahmedabad concluded with the inauguration of the Ahmedabad Shopping Festival, a gesture showcasing how the state government aligns sport, economic activity and urban renewal to reinforce the region’s identity. This intersection of projects, major events and political strategy underpins Ahmedabad’s ambition to present itself as a serious contender for a future Olympic Games.
His remarks ultimately offered a clear signal: the path opened by the Commonwealth Games now aims higher, towards the world’s largest multi-sport event. With investment, planning and a narrative that positions sport as a catalyst for transformation, Ahmedabad prepares to chase an objective that could redefine its international standing.