India interested to host 2030 Commonwealth Games

The Sports Ministry has hinted that the country may bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. They are also willing to hold those sports disciplines that have been axed from the sports programme for the 2026 edition, which will be held in Glasgow, Scotland.

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Chris Jenkins had already announced that the 2026 edition of the Games would be truncated because Glasgow volunteered to host at the last moment. During an interaction with The Tribune last year, Jenkins had made it very clear that the sports programme would be curtailed.

“We have also said that the number of sports, 22, is probably far too many. It should be probably around 15-17. It is widely reported (that in Glasgow) there will be 10 sports disciplines because it is only 18 months for the Games and it limits what you can put up in 18 months. But looking at 2030, that number will be back up to normal, which is 15-17,” he had said in September of last year.

However, the organisers left many Indian athletes hurt as they dropped boxing, wrestling, hockey, cricket, badminton, shooting, sports where Indians have excelled in the past.

Other than showing an interest in hosting the 2030 edition, the ministry is mulling over holding all the sports in India next year. It is understood that the discussion has been held informally on both counts.

“We are interested in hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games. The discussions have been opened informally, and once it is settled, we will send a letter of intent to make our intentions clear to everyone,” said a source in the ministry.

“We are also interested in holding a few disciplines that have been dropped for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. But we have to first get an all-clear from the organisers of the Glasgow Games as they are the host. Once we hear from them and only if they are willing, we will officially move to organise it here in India,” the source added.

This is not the first time that India has raised hopes of organising disciplines that are not part of the Commonwealth Games. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) led by then president Narinder Batra had announced that India would host Commonwealth Shooting and Archery Championships for the 2022 Games as they were dropped from the sports programme. 

They were also confident that the medals won in these two sports would be added to the main tally. However, first, the CGF communicated to the IOA that the medals would not be added, and then later on ultimately dropped the idea, and these competitions were not held.