Ahmedabad considers hosting 2026 Commonwealth Games, according to latest sports news updates.

GANDHINAGAR: Gujarat Government Considers Bidding for 2026 Commonwealth Games

The Gujarat government is considering the possibility of bidding for Ahmedabad to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, as it continues preparations for the 2036 Olympic Games bid. Previously, the government had been preparing to bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and had set a target of completing all infrastructure work by 2028. However, in light of Australia’s Victoria pulling out of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games due to rising costs, the Gujarat government sees an opportunity to bid for the event. The government is hopeful that the Union government will support Ahmedabad’s bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been personally overseeing the progress of various projects connected to the Olympic Games bid. The top leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has instructed the state government to begin work on all connected projects simultaneously. The Gujarat government claims that it will be able to complete all infrastructure work for the Olympic Games bid before 2026.

Recently, the Gujarat government hired Australia-based business planning consultancy Populous to develop the master-plan for Ahmedabad’s bid for the Olympics. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, which is being developed around the Narendra Modi stadium and the Naranpura Sports Complex, will have facilities for various Olympic sports. These venues will host a majority of the Olympic sporting events.

The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave will cover an area of 236 acres and is expected to cost approximately Rs 4,600 crore. It will have infrastructure to host as many as 20 sports disciplines over 93 lakh square feet of built-up area. The project also includes the construction of 3,000 apartments for athletes, support staff, sports officials, and others.

Earlier this year, the Gujarat government formed two committees to monitor the progress of projects for Ahmedabad’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics. The advisory committee, chaired by the Chief Minister, includes the Union Sports Minister, the state Chief Secretary, the Union Sports Secretary, and a representative from the Indian Olympics Association (IOA). The executive committee, headed by the state Chief Secretary, includes the Principal Secretaries of the Urban Development and Sports departments, the Director General of Sports Authority of India, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Commissioner, the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation Commissioner, and the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority CEO and Gandhinagar Urban Development Authority CEO.