Is Ahmedabad emerging as a sports hub regardless of 2030 CWG recommendation?
Ahmedabad is rapidly emerging as a sports hub, with Rs 6,000 crore worth of projects underway, including the SVP Sports Enclave and Naranpura Complex. The city has hosted major events like the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship, IPL matches, Asia Cup 2022, and FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2022. Beyond the 2030 CWG, these developments showcase India's growing capability to host world-class international sporting events, bolstering its bid for the 2036 Olympics.
New Delhi: The Executive Board of Commonwealth Sport on Thursday confirmed that it will recommend Ahmedabad as the proposed host city for the 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games. Ahmedabad as host city will now be put forward to the full Commonwealth Sport membership. The final decision will take place at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow on November 26.
If Ahmedabad receives the green light, it will be the second time India hosts the multisport event. This will spur massive infrastructure development, including world-class stadiums, athlete villages, and upgraded transport and sporting facilities. Numerous projects are set to turn the city into a modern sports hub.
Projects worth Rs 6,000 crore already underway
However, Ahmedabad wasn’t waiting for the CWG nod to establish itself as a sports hub. Already, projects worth Rs 6,000 crore are underway in the city. They would have progressed even without the Executive Board’s recommendation. The city already has sports facilities such as the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, Naranpura Sports Complex, and Karai Sports Hub.
The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave is also being developed as a multi-purpose indoor arena, aquatics and tennis centres, along with temporary venues for volleyball and other sports.
The Naranpura Complex recently hosted the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship. It is also developing an Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool and will also host basketball events. Construction of many sports complexes are underway and will be completed by 2028.
These indicate that the city’s emergence as a sports hub is driven by long-term planning rather than a single event. Ahmedabad is slowly but surely establishing itself as a modern sports city, ready to host national and international events, irrespective of the 2030 CWG hosting decision.
City has already hosted several high-profile sporting events
For some time now, Ahmedabad has hosted high-profile sporting events, which highlight its world-class facilities. Apart from hosting the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship recently at the Naranpura Sports Complex, the city also organised Pro Kabaddi League matches at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Ahmedabad has also been a venue for Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket, Asia Cup 2022 T20 matches, and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022. International badminton and table tennis competitions have also been hosted by the city, as well as National Games and inter-state tournaments.
Therefore, the government’s preparations are not restricted to the Centenary Commonwealth Games (CWG); they are part of a broader strategy to showcase India’s capability to host world-class sporting events. Undoubtedly, if the administration organiser the CWG successfully, it will prove that India has the potential to manage multisport global events. A proper execution will also strengthen India's case to host the 2036 Olympics.