NEW DELHI, Nov 27: The world governing bodies of shooting and badminton are delighted that India has bagged the hosting rights of the 2030 Commonwealth Games as they feel it brightens their chances of returning to the event after being dropped from the 2026 edition.
International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) and Badminton World Federation (BWF) welcomed the Commonwealth Sport general assembly’s unanimous decision to award the Games to the Indian city of Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
The 2030 Games will feature 15 to 17 disciplines, a significantly higher number compared to the scaled down 10-event Glasgow 2026 edition. Glasgow dropped, among others, shooting and badminton to cut down the cost of the Games.
“The International Shooting Sport Federation is pleased to see Ahmedabad, India, approved as the hosts of the 2030 Commonwealth Games at Commonwealth Sport’s General Assembly today, providing a strong case for our sport’s return to the programme,” the ISSF stated.
“With India hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth Sport has an exceptional opportunity to tap into one of the world’s most engaged badminton markets,” said BWF.The eight confirmed sports that will feature at the 2030 Games are athletics and Para athletics, swimming and Para swimming, table tennis and Para table tennis, bowls and Para bowls, weightlifting and Para powerlifting, artistic gymnastics, netball and boxing.
The sports under consideration for inclusion are archery, badminton, 3×3 basketball and 3×3 Wheelchair basketball, beach volleyball, T20 cricket, cycling, diving, hockey, judo, rhythmic gymnastics, rugby sevens, shooting, squash, triathlon and Para triathlon and wrestling.The final programme will be finalised next year and would include at least seven more sports.
“We are encouraged by India’s passion for shooting sport, providing a strong case for its conclusion in 2030. A record 13,522 athletes competed in the 2024 National Shooting Championship Competition, showing its growing popularity,” the ISSF said.
The BWF cited badminton’s “long and proud history at the Commonwealth Games” to make its case.
“Badminton is India’s leading racket sport and ranks third overall in popularity (after cricket and football). 43 per cent of the population support badminton, second only to cricket. 32 per cent of Indians actively participate in badminton.
“At Paris 2024, badminton was the most followed sport in India, engaging 21 per cent of viewers. India is also a global leader in Para badminton, presenting a perfect opportunity for both badminton and Para badminton to be integrated into the sports programme,” it stated.
BWF President Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul said the sport has long been a “cornerstone of the Commonwealth Games.” “…we fully support Commonwealth Sport’s vision to make the Games more sustainable and relevant for future generations. As part of this evolution, it is vital that badminton remains in the programme, given its deep roots and passionate following across the Commonwealth.
VADODARA MAY BE CONSIDERED FOR CRICKET VENUES
Ahmedabad’s neighbouring city of Vadodara could be in contention to co-host cricket matches during the 2030 Commonwealth Games, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) CEO Raghuram Iyer told PTI on Thursday but also insisted that the organisers would be aiming to conduct a “compact” event overall.Ahmedabad was on Wednesday formally awarded hosting rights of the Games during the Commonwealth Sport general assembly in Glasgow. The multi-sport event will return to India after two decades, bolstering the country’s plan of becoming an Olympic host in 2036.
Most of the events are expected to be conducted in the twin cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar as spelt out by Gujarat Principal Secretary for Sports Ashwani Kumar during the press conference on Wednesday.
But since dsiciplines like cricket could require more venues for multiple matches, the organisers could be looking for stadia at nearby cities. Cricket in T20 format is set to be one of the events in the 2030 CWG.
Women’s T20 cricket was included in the 2022 Birmingham CWG, but it is still not known whether the men’s event will also be added in the 2030 edition.
“Nothing is finalised as yet but the organisers would be looking for venues near Ahmedabad like Vadodara. But it is just in the consideration stage,” Iyer told PTI in a telephonic interaction.Vadodara is just over a 100km away from Ahmedabad.
“For sports like cricket, we may need more than one venue to host multiple matches. That is why we would be looking for other venues.” Vadodara has two main cricket stadiums — Vadodara International Stadium and Reliance Stadium. The city also has an indoor sports complex.
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, which can house more than 1,00,000 spectators, is expected to host the marquee cricket matches and the final. (PTI)
