A visiting delegation from Commonwealth Sport has lauded the scale of planning and infrastructure in Gujarat during its recent assessment tour for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, boosting confidence in Ahmedabad’s readiness to host the centenary edition.
The delegation, which included Director of Sport Ann Louise Morgan and Technical Consultant Neil Carney, began its programme with a courtesy meeting with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar. The visit was part of a broader review process aimed at evaluating infrastructure readiness, timelines and venue suitability ahead of the Games.
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The wider delegation, led by Donald Rukare, President of Commonwealth Sport, also included CEO Katie Sadleir and Director of Games & Assurance Darren Hall. The five-member team, that visited the state from April 8-11, conducted a detailed assessment of Ahmedabad’s infrastructure, planning timelines and venue readiness as part of initial coordination with the host nation and local authorities.
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During their stop at the Vijayi Bharat Foundation (VBF), Morgan and Carney were accompanied by Olympic medallist Gagan Narang and VBF Directors Durgesh Agarwal and Dilip Thaker. The delegation toured the High-Performance Centre (HPC) and various Field of Play (FOP) facilities, gaining insights into the foundation’s operations and athlete development programmes.
They also expressed appreciation for VBF’s grassroots initiative, Khele Sanand, particularly highlighting its focus on gender equity through active support for young women athletes within its high-performance pathways.
As part of their itinerary, the delegation inspected several proposed venues across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara and Ekta Nagar. These include the Narendra Modi Stadium, EKA Arena, the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, the Vadodara Cricket Stadium, and facilities in Ekta Nagar such as the Statue of Unity. Additional inspections covered competition and convention venues like Mahatma Mandir and IIT Gandhinagar.
The delegation also held detailed discussions with key stakeholders, including the Commonwealth Games Association (India), the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and senior government officials, focusing on governance frameworks, delivery plans and overall readiness.
Commonwealth Sport officials expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far. “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.
Echoing similar sentiments, 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,” Usha added.
India was awarded the hosting rights for the 2030 Games on November 26 last year at the General Assembly of Commonwealth Sport in Glasgow, marking the country’s second time hosting the event after the 2010 edition in New Delhi.
The 2030 Commonwealth Games will mark the centenary of the event and are expected to boost India’s bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics. Commonwealth Sport awarded the hosting rights to Ahmedabad, recognising the city as the venue to commemorate 100 years since the inaugural Games in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930.
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