By Francis Ofori, GNA
Accra, Nov.26, GNA – Commonwealth Sports, the governing body of the Commonwealth Games has announced India as host of the centenary edition of the Games.
The competition will be held in Amdavad in the Indian state of Gujarat, which was officially confirmed as the host city for the 2030 Games following a vote by delegates representing 74 Commonwealth nations.
India, which last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010, re-entered the bidding process alongside Nigeria, which aimed to become the first West African nation to host the event.
Madam Phil Batty OBE, Chief Executive of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, said India’s selection as host marked a significant achievement for the Commonwealth Games movement.
“The awarding of the centenary Commonwealth Games to India feels like a real milestone moment for the Commonwealth Sport movement.”
“As Glasgow prepares to welcome 74 nations and territories from across the Commonwealth to our Games in 2026, the whole team at the Organising Company would like to congratulate Amdavad on their successful bid for 2030.”
She noted that the Asian nation’s vision, energy, and ambition had been remarkable, and that the Commonwealth Sport movement was eager to work closely with them.
The Chief Executive also commended Scotland’s decision to host the Commonwealth Games in 2026, a step she described as a catalyst for change within the movement.
She said the organization was creating a reimagined Games which would secure the Commonwealth Games for the next 100 years.
India became the second Asian country to host the Games that brought together more than 6,000 athletes from 71 nations.
The event prompted major infrastructure development, including new sports facilities, upgrades to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, and significant improvements to the Delhi Metro and road networks.
India also recorded its best performance in Commonwealth Games history, finishing second on the medals table with 38 gold medals.
Despite organisational challenges in the lead-up to the event, the 2010 Games strengthened their reputation as a capable host of large-scale international sporting competitions.
GNA
Kenneth Odeng Adade