They may not be the Olympics, but the Commonwealth Games (CWG) are a big deal for a host of countries that are not as prolific at the former big-ticket event. With stiff global competition, several Commonwealth nations - including India - find it hard to make a mark at the Olympic Games, and thus for them, the likes of CWG and Asian Games offer the best chance to showcase their sporting talent. (Sports News)
Indian athletes have been on a high recently, bagging an unprecedented century-plus haul of medals in both the Asian as well as the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou over the past month. In between, there was a historic International Olympic Committee (IOC) session - India's first in a span of 40 years - in Mumbai, wherein Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to leave no stone unturned in India's candidature for the 2036 Olympic Games.
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IOC president Thomas Bach was present at the session, and he too appeared optimistic about India's chances for hosting the 2036 Games. “Yes, there is a strong case, seeing how India is flourishing and developing and how India now is embracing Olympic sports. So, there is great potential for both. India can play a much more important role in the Olympic movement and for the Olympic movement to have such a growth potential as with India. It’s of course very welcome,” Bach had said.
But in the nearer future, the hosting rights for the 2026 Coomonwealth Games are still up for grabs, following Victoria's shock withdrawal in July. Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate has gone on record to say that the city can still step in to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, but the Queensland state government has ruled out the prospect.
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In such a scenario, can an India city also throw its hat in the ring? There were media reports about Ahmedabad being considered as an alternative venue for CWG 2026, though Gujarat government officials later said no decision has been taken by the state so far on bidding for the 2026 Games in Ahmedabad. But things still are unclear, and it remains to be seen whether any other Indian city will be propped up for serious candidature.
The expenditure and logistical considerations of hosting such a major event will have to be weighed against the legacy and long-term impact of the move. In the past, Durban was stripped of CWG 2022 hosting rights after failing to meet key obligations. As for Victoria, the city backed out owing to an inability to bear the financial burden, with Victoria's former premier Daniel Andrews claiming in July 2023 that the budget had ballooned from $2.6 billion to around $7 billion.
India last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010 in New Delhi, and the city greatly benefited in terms of sports infrastructure due to it. If any Indian city does indeed bid for the forthcoming CWG, it will be interesting to track its candidature and what it does to the overall sporting ecosystem.
