Twenty years have passed since India hosted the CWG 2019 in New Delhi.
Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, has formally submitted a bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030. The idea was approved by the Union Cabinet, which hailed it as a significant step towards establishing India as a major international sports destination. Twenty years have passed since India hosted the CWG 2019 in New Delhi.
The 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi marked the first time India hosted the event. The opening ceremony at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium drew global praise. Athletes from 71 nations took part. India won 101 medals, including 38 gold, its best-ever performance in the Games.
But the event was overshadowed by one of the biggest corruption scandals in Indian sports history. Suresh Kalmadi, the then Organising Committee chairman, faced allegations of corruption. Investigators said that contracts were inflated and rules were bypassed. Reports claimed a loss of around ₹90–95 crore in the Timing-Scoring-Results system alone.
The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) also found irregularities in several projects. Even basic items like toilet paper were billed at massively inflated prices. The overall cost of the Games rose from the original estimate of around ₹1,620 crore to almost ₹70,000 crore. The scandal damaged India’s image at the global level.
The difference between 2010 and 2030 is clear. In 2010, India earned praise for its performance on the field but criticism for corruption off the field. The CWG scam and the arrest of Suresh Kalmadi remain strong reminders of what went wrong.
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Now, in 2030, India wants to showcase itself as a transparent and responsible host. Organisers believe that the Games will strengthen India’s global image. They also see it as a chance to inspire young athletes and boost tourism and investment.
The 2030 bid for the Commonwealth Games highlights India’s attempt to rewrite its sports hosting story. This time, the government promises complete transparency. Officials say modern technology and blockchain-based systems will prevent fraud in contracts and ticketing.
Ahmedabad, which is being prepared as the Games city, already hosts the Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket ground. The city is expected to get new infrastructure, including an athletes’ village, transport upgrades, and smart sporting facilities.
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said, “India has the infrastructure, the athletes, and the experience to host the Games successfully.”
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India's legacy from the 2010 Commonwealth Games is a mix of scandal and sporting success. India pledges to uphold accountability and transparency in its bid for the 2030 edition. The government expects that this time, the success of the tournament and the accomplishments of Indian sportsmen would be the only things in the news.
