New Delhi: A Commonwealth Sport delegation commenced its four-day Gujarat visit on Wednesday to review preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games (CWG) scheduled to be held in Ahmedabad city.
Led by Commonwealth Sport president Donald Rukare, along with officials from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the five-member delegation will be in Gujarat from April 8 to 11, officials confirmed.
Gujarat’s Ahmedabad city was formally chosen as the host of the 2030 Commonwealth Games during the Commonwealth Sports’ general assembly in November last year. The landmark announcement paved the way for the multi-sport global event’s return to the country after two decades. India last hosted a CWG in Delhi back in 2010.
The delegation began the tour with a courtesy meeting with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in the capital, Gandhinagar.
Commonwealth Sport president Rukare appreciates a warm welcome
Commonwealth Sport president Rukare and CEO Katie Sadleir were overwhelmed by the warm welcome and hospitality they received in Gujarat, an official release said.
CM Patel wrote on X, “It was a pleasure to meet the Commonwealth sport delegation in Gandhinagar during their first official visit to Gujarat to review preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, led by President Donald Rukare.” “We discussed our time-bound, qualitative and effective planning, inspired by the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to deliver the centenary edition with excellence through strong teamwork,” he added.
The CM promised to provide all necessary facilities and infrastructure for the successful conduct of the Commonwealth Games.
CM accepts invitation for Glasgow 2026
“Showcasing our world-class infrastructure and readiness, we reaffirmed Gujarat’s commitment to providing all necessary facilities for the successful hosting of CWG 2030,” Patel wrote in a social media post.
Rukare and Sadleir invited CM Patel to attend and study the arrangements for the Games to be held in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2, 2026. The CM has accepted the invitation.
“Thanked the delegation for their invitation to attend the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July 2026, which will offer valuable learning as we prepare to set new global benchmarks in sports hosting,” CM wrote.
During the four-day visit, the delegation will visit and inspect key venues proposed for the Games, including Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, Narendra Modi Stadium, EKA Arena in Ahmedabad, Vadodara Cricket Stadium, and the Statue of Unity at Ekta Nagar.
The Commonwealth Games 2030 will mark the centenary edition of the prestigious event, and according to Rukare, it is a matter of great pride for Gujarat and Ahmedabad to host the event. He also showered praise on PM Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership and encouragement toward sports.
(With PTI Inputs)