Former Sports Minister Says India's Sporting Ambitions Are Bigger Than Ever Before
Former Union Sports Minister and BJP MP Anurag Thakur has confirmed that India is gearing up to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games on a grand scale, even as the country simultaneously pursues its long-term bid for the 2036 Olympic Games. Speaking to IANS, Thakur framed the upcoming Games as part of a broader shift in India's sporting stature on the world stage.
India was formally ratified as host of the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games last November, with Ahmedabad named as the primary host city. The Games are expected to draw on lessons from the 2026 Glasgow edition as India prepares to mark a hundred years of the multi-sport event in style.
According to Thakur, the scale of sporting events being staged in India has grown significantly in recent years, and the 2030 Commonwealth Games will be no exception.
Thakur described the upcoming Commonwealth Games as poised to be organised on a very grand scale, reflecting India's growing capability and ambition in hosting global sporting spectacles.
Even as preparations for CWG 2030 move forward, India is simultaneously working toward securing hosting rights for the 2036 Olympic Games, positioning the country for a sustained run of major international sporting events.
Thakur expressed hope that India would eventually win the Olympic bid, after which the nation could expect to host a continuous string of marquee international sporting occasions.
Gujarat's Principal Secretary for Ports and Transport, Ashwini Kumar, had earlier stated that preparations for the 2030 Games were moving forward steadily, with the state targeting completion of most infrastructure work by the end of 2028 or early 2029. This timeline gives Ahmedabad and the wider state a comfortable runway to deliver venues, transport links, and supporting infrastructure well ahead of the opening ceremony.
Thakur also drew a contrast with India's previous hosting experience at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. He noted that the conversation around those Games had been dominated more by corruption allegations than by the sporting action itself — a narrative he suggested the 2030 edition aims to leave firmly in the past.
India finished second in the medal tally with 101 medals overall, including 38 gold medals.
India secured 61 medals, including 22 gold, in an edition where shooting was not part of the programme.
With Ahmedabad confirmed as the centrepiece host city, the dual push toward CWG 2030 and a 2036 Olympic bid signals a long runway of sustained investment, infrastructure development, and global attention for the region.
India's growing track record of hosting large-scale events strengthens its case as a credible future Olympic host.
Officials appear keen to position 2030 as a showcase event defined by execution and scale, distinct from the controversies that shadowed 2010.
A 2028–2029 completion target for Gujarat's preparations gives the host city ample time to deliver venues and connectivity upgrades.
A successful 2030 Games could meaningfully boost India's case for the 2036 Olympics, opening the door to a decade-plus of major event hosting.
Former Union Sports Minister and BJP MP Anurag Thakur made the statement in remarks to IANS.
Yes, India is simultaneously pursuing hosting rights for the 2036 Olympic Games while preparing for CWG 2030.
The state is targeting completion of most infrastructure work by the end of 2028 or early 2029.
India won 101 medals (38 gold) in Delhi 2010 and 61 medals (22 gold) in Birmingham 2022.