Commonwealth Games hosts Ahmedabad vow not to repeat Delhi 2010 farce

"The Indian city had been selected ahead of a rival bid from Abuja in Nigeria for the multi-sport event in five years' time, and was given final approval at Commonwealth Sport's general assembly in Glasgow on Wednesday. With India heavily targeting the 2036 Summer Olympics, organisers were keen to stress that the Commonwealth Games in the state of Gujarat would prove they could organise a large multi-sport event without any hiccups."

"The Commonwealth movement was shaken by Victoria's decision to withdraw as host of next year's Games in 2023, with Glasgow stepping in. There was also an official complaint about water in the swimming pool so murky that left swimmers struggling to see, a malfunctioning security barrier that speared the car of Uganda's chef de mission and left him in hospital, and even cobras in the athletes' village."

"Shri Ashwini Kumar, Gujarat's principal sports secretary, accepted the 2010 Games had faced some challenges, but he insisted this time the organisers were ahead of schedule. The 2010 Games were one of the best Games that were hosted, he said. But there were some challenges. This time, we are well prepared. The organising committee is going to be established within a month or so and our fundamentals are very strong. Most of the venues are already ready."

Ahmedabad has been confirmed as host of the 2030 Commonwealth Games and plans to feature 15 to 17 sports, up from the 10 scheduled for Glasgow. Proposed sports include athletics, swimming, table tennis, bowls and netball, with Twenty20 cricket and triathlon provisionally listed and a final sports selection process starting next month. The city was chosen over Abuja and received final approval at Commonwealth Sport's general assembly. Organisers emphasized readiness, citing early venue preparation and a forthcoming organising committee. Officials pledged to avoid the organisational and reputational issues seen in Delhi 2010 and to demonstrate capability ahead of India's Olympic ambitions.

Read at www.theguardian.com