India eyes 2030 Commonwealth Games as a stepping stone for 2036 Olympic bid
The country previously hosted the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in 2010, a tournament overshadowed by allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the lead-up. However, the event itself was ultimately deemed a success.
India has formally expressed its interest in hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games, viewing the event as a potential rehearsal for its grand ambition of staging the 2036 Summer Olympics.
The country previously hosted the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in 2010, a tournament overshadowed by allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the lead-up. However, the event itself was ultimately deemed a success.
P.T. Usha, president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), confirmed the submission of India's proposal, stating, "We have sent an expression of interest and are hopeful that the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) will consider our bid," in an interview with Reuters on Friday.
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India's bid for the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games comes at a time when the event has struggled to attract potential hosts. Scotland's Glasgow is set to host a scaled-down version of the Games next year, after the state of Victoria in Australia pulled out due to rising costs. Similarly, the 2022 Games were moved to Birmingham after Durban in South Africa withdrew due to financial difficulties.
The deadline for submitting expressions of interest for the 2030 Games is 31 March. In response to Reuters' inquiry, the CGF confirmed that the process is ongoing and further details would be shared in due course.
In addition to its Commonwealth Games bid, India is also vying to host the 2036 Olympics, with Ahmedabad, located in the western state of Gujarat, at the heart of the country's ambitious plans to bring the Olympic Games to its shores.
