‘Ambitious, forward-looking’: Commonwealth Sport chief Donald Rukare impressed by India’s CWG 2030 vision

The Commonwealth Games Association India on Friday welcomed a high-level delegation from Commonwealth Sport, led by its President Donald Rukare, as part of ongoing preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad.

The visiting delegation, which included CEO Katie Sadleir and Director of Games & Assurance Darren Hall, expressed strong appreciation for India’s readiness, praising the scale of planning, quality of venues, and institutional support behind the project.

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“We are very impressed by the scale of planning, quality of venues, and the strong support from national and state authorities in India. Amdavad’s vision for the 2030 Commonwealth Games is both ambitious and forward-looking. The centenary presents a unique moment to celebrate the Games’ rich history while reimagining how they are delivered for the next 100 years.

“Our discussions this week have reinforced our confidence in India’s capability to deliver a truly landmark edition in 2030,” Rukare said.

The delegation conducted a multi-city inspection tour from April 8 to 10, reviewing key venues and infrastructure across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara and Ekta Nagar. The visit included assessments of major venues such as Narendra Modi Stadium, Mahatma Mandir, Veer Savarkar Sports Complex and IIT Gandhinagar, along with meetings with senior Gujarat government officials and city authorities.

Beyond venue inspections, the delegation also held discussions with key Indian sports stakeholders, including the CGA (India) and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, focusing on governance frameworks, operational planning, and delivery timelines for the Games.

The visit builds on continued engagement between Commonwealth Sport and Indian authorities to shape a landmark centenary edition of the Games in 2030.

PT Usha, President of the Commonwealth Games Association (India), said, “India is honoured to host the Commonwealth Sport delegation and showcase the significant progress made towards delivering a world-class Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad in 2030.

“The visit reflects our shared commitment to excellence, collaboration, and innovation in sport. We are confident that, together with Commonwealth Sport and all stakeholders, we will deliver a truly historic and athlete-centric Games that inspires the Commonwealth.”