Ahmedabad announced as host of 2030 Commonwealth Games as Donald Rukare welcomes rebirth after Victoria mess

Victoria’s politicians almost ended the Commonwealth Games when they aborted the 2026 event. Now, a historic announcement has signalled the Games have survived Daniel Andrews’ kiss of death.

One of Australia’s most cherished sporting events is now busily preparing for its 100th birthday bash after the Indian city of Ahmedabad was confirmed as the host of the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030.

Given the kiss of life after the Victorian state government almost killed them off, the ‘friendly games’ are suddenly looking as sprightly as ever after being adopted by the world’s most populated nation.

It is no secret India has ambitions to host the Summer Olympics sometime in the near future and its leaders want to showcase their credentials to the world by hosting the Commonwealth Games, but it’s also giving a new lease of life to a magical event that includes sports that aren’t on the Olympic program, like lawn bowls and netball, but are deeply ingrained in Australian culture.

That’s a huge win for all true-blue sports lovers who understand the unbreakable bond of the Commonwealth and how it unites countries with mega populations like India with tiny islands in the Pacific and the Caribbean.

While Victoria’s grandstanding politicians shelled out a fortune to host an American football game next year, the way they fudged the numbers in reneging on their promise to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games was grubby politics at its worst.

But as bad as that was, the Games have survived their brush with death and are flourishing again.

“It is hard to underestimate how significant this moment is for the Commonwealth Sport movement,” Commonwealth Games Australia President Ben Houston said.

“The cancellation of Victoria 2026 delivered a shock to the system that has seen an engaged response from the nations of the Commonwealth to not only deliver Glasgow next year, but an enthusiastic host for 2030 and a pipeline of potential cities capable and willing to welcome a future Games.”

Taking place two years before the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, the 2030 Ahmedabad Commonwealth Games will take on added importance for many Australian sports.

While Glasgow stepped in at late notice to host 2026, Scottish organisers were forced to cut a number of sports to make budget. Just 10 sports, including six para sports, will feature in Glasgow next year but India is already planning to add up to seven more for 2030.

As part of Wednesday’s presentation bid to delegates from over 70 Commonwealth member nations and territories, India officials outlined their plans to increase the number of sports for 2030, which marks the centenary of the first Games in Hamilton, Canada in 1930.

This is the second time the Commonwealth Games have been awarded to India after New Delhi hosted in 2010.

Donald Rukare, the President of Commonwealth Sport, said India’s backing of the Games had inspired and motivated other countries to bid for 2034.

“We start our next century for the Commonwealth Games in rude health,” Rukare said.

Originally published as Ahmedabad announced as host of 2030 Commonwealth Games as Donald Rukare welcomes rebirth after Victoria mess