Ahmedabad, Aug 27 (IANS) The government is firmly committed to establishing India as a global sporting destination by hosting major international sporting events, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday as he chaired a review meeting in Ahmedabad on India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics and preparations for the 2029 World Police and Fire Games and the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
“Modi Govt is firmly committed to establishing India as a global sporting destination by hosting international sporting events,” Shah said in a post on social media platform X after the meeting.
He added, “Today, chaired a review meeting on India’s bid for the 2036 Olympics, as well as preparations for hosting the 2029 Police and Fire Games and the 2030 Commonwealth Games, in Ahmedabad.”
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi attended the meeting, along with other officials.
The review comes as Ahmedabad prepares to host a sequence of major international sporting events, with the city already confirmed as the host of the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
Commonwealth Sport formally ratified Ahmedabad, referred to as Amdavad by the organisation, as the host of the centenary Commonwealth Games at its General Assembly in Glasgow in November 2025.
The 2030 edition will mark 100 years since the first Commonwealth Games were held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930. The 2030 Games will follow the 2029 World Police and Fire Games in Ahmedabad.
India was designated the host country for that event in June last year, with Ahmedabad selected as the venue.
Shah had then described the selection as recognition of the country’s expanding sports infrastructure and Ahmedabad’s growing stature as a sporting destination.
The government has also linked the preparations for these events with India’s longer-term Olympic ambitions.
Ahmedabad has been put forward as India’s proposed host city for the 2036 Olympics, with preparations focusing on sports infrastructure and facilities that meet international standards.
Shah previously said the city could host multiple international sporting events by 2036 and that the facilities developed for such events could later support athletes and serve as training infrastructure.
The Commonwealth Games preparations have already involved engagement between Commonwealth Sport and Indian authorities.
A Commonwealth Sport delegation visited Ahmedabad and New Delhi in April, inspecting venues including the Narendra Modi Stadium, Mahatma Mandir and Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, and holding discussions with Gujarat and central government officials on delivering the 2030 Games.
The latest review also follows the conclusion of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where India finished joint fourth with Scotland with 29 medals, including 13 golds.
Glasgow has now handed over the Commonwealth Games to Ahmedabad for the centenary edition in 2030. The government has been developing sports facilities in Ahmedabad with the proposed major events in mind.
–IANS
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