Ahmedabad: A delegation of Commonwealth Sport on Tuesday began a four-day review visit to Gujarat to assess preparations and inspect venues for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, marking the first on-ground exercise since Ahmedabad was confirmed as host.
The five-member team, led by Commonwealth Sport President Donald Rukare and Chief Executive Officer Katie Sadleir, is in Gujarat from April 8 to 11 along with officials of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). The delegation held a meeting with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar before beginning site inspections across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara and Ekta Nagar.
Officials said the visit is aimed at reviewing planning status, assessing venue readiness and aligning timelines for infrastructure and operations for the centenary edition of the Games in 2030.
The venues to be inspected include Narendra Modi Stadium, Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, EKA Arena, Vadodara Cricket Stadium and the Statue of Unity complex at Ekta Nagar, which are proposed to host events and related activities.
Patel on Wednesday said the state had initiated preparatory work and would follow a time-bound plan for delivery of venues and infrastructure.
“Inspired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s mantra of time-bound and effective planning, Gujarat is committed to successfully hosting the Centenary Commonwealth Games 2030 through teamwork,” Patel said in a statement. He further said coordination with Commonwealth Sport and IOA would be maintained at each stage.
Highlighting that 2030 will mark the Centenary Commonwealth Games, Rukare described the opportunity for Gujarat to host the event as a matter of pride, according to a statement. He lauded the visionary leadership of Modi and the strong encouragement extended to sports, it added.
The delegation also invited Patel to attend the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2 to observe operations and planning. The Chief Minister accepted and said a state delegation would attend.
The visit marks the first formal review after Ahmedabad was confirmed as host of the 2030 Games at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow in November 2025. The Games will be India’s second after New Delhi 2010 and are scheduled for October 2030 with participation from 74 Commonwealth nations.
Officials said the visit signals a shift from planning to implementation, with focus on venue readiness and operational strategy.
Ahmedabad and the Gandhinagar region are undergoing large-scale infrastructure expansion linked to the Games, including sports complexes, transport upgrades and urban development, with the event also positioned as a step towards India’s Olympic bid for 2036.
