India and Nigeria submitted formal proposals to host the centenary 2030 Commonwealth Games by the August 31 deadline, Commonwealth Sport announced. Canada, who hosted the first Commonwealth Games in 1930 in Hamilton, was expected to be in the running but did not bid.
"This positive response from two sporting powerhouse nations of the Commonwealth demonstrates the continued significance and legacy potential of the Commonwealth Games and the strength and appeal of our sustainable Games model," Commonwealth Sports President Donald Rukare said in a statement. India's bid is part of the country's plans as it dreams of hosting the 2036 Olympic Games in Ahmedabad.
Rukare praised India and Nigeria for the "dynamic and ambitious spirit in which they have engaged in the collaborative dialogue phase. The Commonwealth Sport team has been inspired by the National Sports Policies presented and excited about how the Games can advance national ambitions and create legacy benefits for local communities."
The bids are good news for the multi-sport event after fears that Glasgow 2026 might be the last Commonwealth Games. Scotland's Glasgow will host a pared-down version of the Games next year after the Australian state of Victoria, the original host, pulled out citing escalating costs. The 2022 Games was shifted to Birmingham after the South African city of Durban withdrew due to financial issues.
Earlier, India's Cabinet approved the ministry of youth affairs and sports’ submission of the bid and the choice of host city as Ahmedabad, which offers “world-class stadiums, cutting-edge training facilities and a passionate sporting culture.” The Cabinet also sanctioned the signing of the Host Collaboration Agreement (HCA) along with the necessary guarantees from concerned ministries, departments and authorities and the required grant-in-aid to the Gujarat govt, should the bid be accepted. India last hosted the CWG in 2010 in Delhi. Field hockey, badminton, table tennis, shooting, wrestling, women’s cricket, squash and archery disciplines will return to the CWG programme if India’s bid to host the multisport event in 2030 is successful.