2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games hosted by Amdavad, India
In 2030, Australia’s top athletes will compete at this historic Indian city to mark 100 years of the Commonwealth Games with other member nations – let’s meet the host metropolis
READING LEVEL: GREEN
A bustling city in India’s northwest will launch a new century of elite sport, after being named host of the Centenary* Commonwealth Games.
Amdavad, also known as Ahmedabad, a busy metropolis in the state of Gujarat, was confirmed as the host after Commonwealth member nations and territories ratified* India’s bid at a general assembly in Glasgow.
The historic city is a UNESCO* World Heritage site, known for its medieval* Islamic architecture and association with the Indian independence movement.
Its hosting duties come 100 years after the very first Games were held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930, and eight years after the Birmingham, England edition, at which Australia topped the medal table.
The 2030 sports program will include athletics, swimming, table tennis, bowls, weightlifting, their parasport equivalents, plus artistic gymnastics, netball and boxing.
The full itinerary was still being finalised, with archery, badminton, rugby sevens, triathlon and wrestling among those being considered.
The final Centenary Games program was expected to be announced next year.
Indian Prime Minister and Gujarati Narendra Modi welcomed the announcement, saying it was a result of the nation’s “spirit of sportsmanship”.
“Delighted that India has won the bid to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games 2030!” he posted on X.
“Congratulations to the people of India and the sporting ecosystem*.
“It is our collective commitment and spirit of sportsmanship that has placed India firmly on the global sporting map.
“With the ethos* of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family), we are eager to be celebrating these historic games with great enthusiasm.
“We look forward to welcoming the world!”
India’s landmark* edition of the Games will usher in a “new golden era” of competitive sport, Commonwealth Sport president Donald Rukare said.
“After a ‘Games reset’, we head to Glasgow 2026 in fantastic shape to welcome the 74 teams of the Commonwealth, before setting our sights on Amdavad 2030 for a special centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games,” he said.
“India brings scale, youth, ambition, rich culture, enormous sporting passion and relevance, and I’m delighted to report strong interest from a range of nations to host the 2034 Games and beyond.
“We start our next century for the Commonwealth Games in good health.”
The South Asian nation was honoured by the “trust” of fellow member nations in selecting the Gujarat city for the 2030 edition, Commonwealth Games Association of India president PT Usha said.
“The 2030 Games will not only celebrate a hundred years of the Commonwealth movement but also lay the foundation for the next century,” Mr Usha said.
“It will bring together athletes, communities, and cultures from across the Commonwealth in a spirit of friendship and progress.”
India’s world champion boxer Jaismine Lamboria said it was a proud moment to see India host the historic Games.
“Amdavad will give athletes and fans a very warm and vibrant welcome, and having the opportunity to compete on home soil in 2030 will be a huge motivation for me and for many others. I’m excited for the next decade for Indian sport,” she said.
DISCOVER AMDAVAD
Amdavad is the largest city in Gujarat and seventh largest urban centre in India. Built on the banks of the River Sabarmati, it boasts a population of almost 7.4 million – that’s a couple of million more people than either of Australia’s two biggest cities: Sydney (a little over 5.5 million) and Melbourne (a little under the same).
The city led the Indian independence movement in the first half of 20th century, driving many campaigns to promote workers’ right, civil rights and political independence.
Mahatma Gandhi* also established Gandhi Ashram on the banks of River Sabarmati.
Founded in 1411 as the capital of the Sultanate of Gujarat, its namesake was Sultan Ahmed Shah.
Under British rule, it was part of the Bombay* presidency, a military cantonment* was established and the city infrastructure* was modernised and expanded.
The city established itself as the home of a booming textile industry, earning the nickname “The Manchester* of India”.
When the state of Gujarat was formed in 1960, Ahmedabad gained prominence as its political and commercial capital.
Amdavad is currently seeing a major construction boom and a period of population growth. It is a rising centre of education, information technology and scientific industries.
It remains the cultural and commercial heart of Gujarat and much of western India. Since 2000, the cityscape has been transformed by skyscrapers, shopping malls and multiplexes.
There are many tourist attractions for visiting athletes and spectators to enjoy during the Centenary Commonwealth Games.
Highlights include ancient temples, mosques and other protected heritage sites; Kankaria Lake; and the Siddi Saiyad Mosque’s famously exquisite Jali windows, with their very fine, intricately intertwined branches depicting the “tree of life*”.
Visitors can also enjoy the exciting and cheap street snack scene and plenty of riverfront dining. No trip would be complete without seeing the vibrant textile and jewellery markets like Ratanpole, Lal Darwaza, Sindhi and Rani No Hajiro.
Source: Government of Gujarat site
POLL
GLOSSARY
- centenary: the 100th anniversary of something, a period of 100 years
- ratified: to make an agreement official
- UNESCO: abbreviation for United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation
- medieval: of, relating to, or in the style of the Middle Age
- ecosystem: all the plants and animals that live in a particular area together with the complex relationship that exists between them and their environment
- ethos: set of ideas and attitudes that is associated with a particular group of people
- landmark: an important or unique decision, event, fact, discovery
- Mahatma Gandhi: political and spiritual leader during India’s struggle with Great Britain for home rule (1869-1948)
- Bombay: former British name of Mumbai
- military cantonment: building or area where soldiers live
- infrastructure: basic systems and services, such as transport and power supplies, that a city, country or organisation uses in order to work effectively
- Manchester: major city in northwest England, also a term for items for the home made of cotton, linen, etc., such as sheets, pillowcases, or tablecloths
- the tree of life: a tree in the biblical Garden of Eden that yielded food giving everlasting life
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QUICK QUIZ
- What is the other name by which Amdavad is known?
- It also acquired a nickname due to its textile industry – what was it?
- When and where were the very first Commonwealth Games held?
- What is the estimated population of Amdavad?
- What is the ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam?
LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. What’s your logo?
Design the logo or symbol for the Amdavad Commonwealth Games. Use information from the story to help you.
Time: allow at least 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links English, Visual Communication Design
2. Extension
Do you know why Mahatma Gandhi is important in India’s history? Use information in the story to brainstorm some ideas. Then use your research skills to find out more.
Use the information that you have gathered to create a worksheet for a younger student that will help them understand who Gandhi was and what his impact has been on India.
Time: allow at least 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Link: English, History
VCOP ACTIVITY
Girls in sport
There are many sports in which we’re seeing an increase in female participants, including boxing. What sports have you noticed, or maybe joined yourself, where you have seen an increase in the number of girls now playing? How do you feel about this? Why do you feel this way? Do you think it’s a positive shift? Why/why not?