Speaking in Glasgow, Sadleir Calls India's Existing Sporting Infrastructure 'World-Class' and Points to the Country's Wider Olympic Ambitions
Commonwealth Sport CEO Katie Sadleir praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approach to sport while speaking in Glasgow during the 2026 Commonwealth Games, according to reports from The Tribune and Asianet Newsable dated 30 July. Sadleir recalled sharing a platform with Modi at an international conference, saying, "I had the fortune of speaking at an international conference with him, and he talked about his vision for the future in terms of the health of the nation and using sport to significantly uplift the many people that live in India."
Her remarks came as Ahmedabad, confirmed in November 2025 as host of the 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games, continued its outreach to international federations and officials on the sidelines of the ongoing Glasgow Games.
Sadleir pointed to Ahmedabad's existing sporting venues as a key factor behind the city's readiness to host. "The facilities that already exist there are world-class. So it is going to be incredibly special for athletes, fans, and the world to see the transformation that is going on in India," she said, as reported by The Tribune.
A separate Telangana Today report from 22 July, citing Sadleir, similarly credited Ahmedabad's ready-made venues with helping secure the hosting rights, quoting her as saying: "The facilities [in India] were fantastic and the fact that they were up and they were there." That report noted the bid aligned with Commonwealth Sport's newly revamped, lower-cost approach to hosting the Games.
Katie Sadleir, CEO of Commonwealth Sport, speaking in Glasgow during the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Ahmedabad's 2030 Games will mark 100 years since the first Commonwealth Games were held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930.
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi headed India's special administrative delegation at Glasgow 2026, coordinating logistics and infrastructure review.
Sadleir also acknowledged India's pursuit of the 2036 Olympic Games, noting that the country has "several other major events in the line-up," according to The Tribune. Asianet Newsable reported that she framed Ahmedabad 2030 as part of a broader, multi-year Indian sporting roadmap rather than a standalone event.
The comments come as Indian officials have repeatedly described the Commonwealth Games as a stepping stone toward a prospective Ahmedabad-anchored Olympic bid, though no final decision on a 2036 host is expected before late 2027.
Asianet Newsable noted that a Commonwealth Sport delegation led by President Dr Donald Rukare had earlier visited Gujarat to inspect proposed competition venues and meet Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, part of the organisation's first official engagement with the state since Ahmedabad was confirmed as host.
Sanghvi's presence in Glasgow, leading a delegation reviewing venues, transport and athlete housing arrangements at the ongoing Games, was cited by both outlets as evidence that Gujarat's preparation work has moved from bid promises to active planning.
Commonwealth Sport President Dr Donald Rukare's delegation inspected Gujarat's proposed venues and met CM Bhupendra Patel ahead of the Glasgow Games.
Gujarat officials handling venues, transport and athlete housing were reported to be observing Glasgow 2026 operations first-hand to understand hosting requirements.
Speaking in Glasgow on 30 July 2026, Sadleir praised PM Modi's vision for using sport to improve national health and called Ahmedabad's existing sporting facilities 'world-class.'
Sadleir recalled sharing a platform with Modi at an international conference, where he spoke about using sport to uplift India's population and improve national health, according to The Tribune.
Yes. Sadleir acknowledged India's pursuit of hosting the 2036 Olympic Games, saying the country has several other major sporting events in its pipeline, per The Tribune.
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi headed India's special administrative delegation in Glasgow, reviewing logistics and infrastructure preparations for Ahmedabad 2030.
Yes. A delegation led by Commonwealth Sport President Dr Donald Rukare visited Gujarat to inspect proposed competition venues and meet Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Games.
The Tribune — 'Absolutely passionate for sports': Commonwealth Sport CEO Katie Sadleir praises PM Modi's vision as Ahmedabad gears up for 2030 games | Asianet Newsable — India's sporting roadmap in focus as Ahmedabad to host 2030 CWG | Telangana Today — Ahmedabad's world-class infrastructure key to winning 2030 Commonwealth Games hosting rights: CWG CEO