'Strong candidate' India upbeat about 2030 Commonwealth Games after delegation visit
NEW DELHI – Robust backing from the government and a desire to stage big-ticket events make India a strong candidate to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, a top Indian Olympic Association (IOA) official told Reuters.
The world's most populous nation is bidding for the 2030 edition of the Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad to boost its bigger dream of hosting the 2036 Olympic Games at the western Indian city.
A Commonwealth Sports delegation visited Ahmedabad last week to share their experience from the previous Games and help the Indian organisers prepare a comprehensive bid to be submitted by the August 31 deadline.
"First and foremost, the mood of the country is upbeat for sporting activities and there is strong will of the government to host global sporting events," IOA executive council member Harpal Singh said by telephone.
"India wants to host larger sporting events - be it Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, or Olympics - and we have the full backing of the government.
"The existing infrastructure is very good and the roadmap for future infrastructure gave a lot of confidence to the delegation."
"Overall, I would say India is a very strong candidate and we'll be very competent to host the 2030 Games," said Singh.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Luxury items seized in $3b money laundering case handed over to Deloitte for liquidation
Singapore NEL, Sengkang LRT resume service after hours-long power fault; Punggol LRT being restored
Singapore Live: Services on Punggol LRT being progressively restored
Singapore Plan to base Singapore's F-15 fighter jets in Guam cancelled
Singapore Hyflux investigator 'took advantage' of Olivia Lum's inability to recall events: Davinder Singh
Singapore Man who stabbed son-in-law to death at Boon Tat Street in 2017 dies, aged 80
Singapore Scoot to launch flights to Chiang Rai, Okinawa, Tokyo-Haneda, boost frequency to other places
Singapore Off-duty SCDF officer dies after accident in Punggol; 15-year-old pillion rider taken to hospital
The IOA is not taking anything for granted though, and is making sure Ahmedabad ticks every box to be unveiled as the host city at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow in November.
"The delegation is looking into various issues - like sustainability, gender-balance and eco-friendliness," said Singh, also a member of the sports committee of the Commonwealth federation.
"They are looking particularly into the sustainability issue. The Games has to be sustainable beyond 2030 and must also align with the UN sustainable development goals.
"It must inspire the youth of the Commonwealth community while showcasing our diverse culture."
India hosted the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, but the event was blighted by allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
The country is determined to make a better impression in 2030 to bolster its bid to host the Olympic Games six years later.
"We've not hosted (since 2010) a major sports event with so many countries across all six regions," Singh said.
"So it will be a right step in that direction for our final dream of 2036."
Canada and Nigeria are also in the fray to host the 2030 edition of the Games featuring athletes from 70-odd Commonwealth nations and territories. REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
44 minutes ago
- Straits Times
LA28 to allow venue naming rights in first for Olympics; Comcast, Honda debut deals
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: The Honda Center arena is pictured in Anaheim, California January 28, 2009. The arena is home to the NHL's Anaheim Ducks hockey club. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES)/File Photo LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games will, for the first time in Games history, allow venue naming rights, organizers said on Thursday, unveiling Comcast and Honda as inaugural partners in a move aimed at boosting commercial revenues. The pilot program, developed with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), will let qualifying LA28 partners retain existing venue names during the Games and buy additional marketing assets. It also opens naming rights for up to 19 temporary venues to worldwide Olympic partners and LA28 sponsors, while standard "clean venue" rules continue for non-partner sites. Comcast will lend its name to the Comcast Squash Center at Universal Studios, where squash will make its Olympic debut on the Courthouse Square backlot. Honda Center in Anaheim will become the first arena to keep its name during an Olympic competition, hosting indoor volleyball. "Anytime you're the first to do something in the context of the Olympics, it's a big deal," LA28 chair Casey Wasserman told Reuters. "It's a big opportunity for us and it's a big statement of support from the IOC. We think it will be a really powerful platform and opportunity in the commercial sector, so we're really excited." Wasserman said the deals introduce a "new commercial model" for the Olympic movement. The IOC traditionally enforces strict branding rules during the Games, masking corporate signage at competition venues. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Over 100 people being investigated for vape offences, say MOH and HSA Singapore Bukit Merah fire: Residents relocated as town council carries out restoration works Singapore askST: What to do in the event of a fire at home Singapore Jalan Bukit Merah fire: PMD battery could have started fatal blaze, says SCDF Singapore askST: What are the fire safety rules for PMDs? Asia AirAsia flight from KL to Incheon lands at wrong airport in South Korea Opinion Could telco consolidation spell the end of attractive mobile plans? Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength He noted money from selling venue naming rights would be in addition to the overall sponsorship revenue target of $2.5 billion, which LA28 calls the largest commercial revenue raise in sports. "We've been very conservative, so we have none of this revenue in our budget so any revenue is upside," he said. "Having said that, we think it could be significant. It's a really powerful platform for branded partners of ours to engage with us and also with the globe, because it's part of the broadcast. The reach is really stunning." From a practical perspective, the potential for SoFi Stadium and arena to maintain their names during the Games will help fans navigating the city. "As a pure matter of wayfinding, it's actually an important piece of the puzzle," he said. Comcast, which holds U.S. broadcast rights through NBC and Peacock, said it would support LA28 "across our entire company," including coverage and the squash showcase. Honda, which in June was named the Games automotive sponsor, said its long-backed Anaheim arena would "step onto the international stage to power Olympic dreams," according to Ed Beadle, a vice president at American Honda Motor Co. LA28 said additional naming-rights partners are expected as the three-year countdown continues. REUTERS
CNA
44 minutes ago
- CNA
LA28 to allow venue naming rights in first for Olympics; Comcast, Honda debut deals
LOS ANGELES :Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games will, for the first time in Games history, allow venue naming rights, organizers said on Thursday, unveiling Comcast and Honda as inaugural partners in a move aimed at boosting commercial revenues. The pilot program, developed with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), will let qualifying LA28 partners retain existing venue names during the Games and buy additional marketing assets. It also opens naming rights for up to 19 temporary venues to worldwide Olympic partners and LA28 sponsors, while standard "clean venue" rules continue for non-partner sites. Comcast will lend its name to the Comcast Squash Center at Universal Studios, where squash will make its Olympic debut on the Courthouse Square backlot. Honda Center in Anaheim will become the first arena to keep its name during an Olympic competition, hosting indoor volleyball. "Anytime you're the first to do something in the context of the Olympics, it's a big deal," LA28 chair Casey Wasserman told Reuters. "It's a big opportunity for us and it's a big statement of support from the IOC. We think it will be a really powerful platform and opportunity in the commercial sector, so we're really excited." Wasserman said the deals introduce a "new commercial model" for the Olympic movement. The IOC traditionally enforces strict branding rules during the Games, masking corporate signage at competition venues. He noted money from selling venue naming rights would be in addition to the overall sponsorship revenue target of $2.5 billion, which LA28 calls the largest commercial revenue raise in sports. "We've been very conservative, so we have none of this revenue in our budget so any revenue is upside," he said. "Having said that, we think it could be significant. It's a really powerful platform for branded partners of ours to engage with us and also with the globe, because it's part of the broadcast. The reach is really stunning." From a practical perspective, the potential for SoFi Stadium and arena to maintain their names during the Games will help fans navigating the city. "As a pure matter of wayfinding, it's actually an important piece of the puzzle," he said. Comcast, which holds U.S. broadcast rights through NBC and Peacock, said it would support LA28 "across our entire company," including coverage and the squash showcase. Honda, which in June was named the Games automotive sponsor, said its long-backed Anaheim arena would "step onto the international stage to power Olympic dreams," according to Ed Beadle, a vice president at American Honda Motor Co.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
India wants US ties based on mutual respect, says its arms purchases are on course
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a joint press conference at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 13, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo NEW DELHI - India said on Thursday that it hoped relations with the United States would move forward based on mutual respect and shared interests, seeking to temper worries that ties were headed downhill in the aftermath of high tariffs imposed by Washington. A U.S. defence policy team will be in New Delhi this month for talks with Indian officials and its arms purchases from the U.S. are on course despite the strain in ties, the Indian foreign ministry said. A new friendship built between the two countries has hit a rough patch after President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50% last week from an earlier 25% saying it was a penalty for India's continued imports of Russian oil. New Delhi has accused the U.S. of double standards in singling it out for Russian oil imports and called the tariffs unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. At the same time, it has also indicated that the warming of ties that began at the turn of the century covers a wide range of areas and should not be seen only through the prism of trade, although it hopes that trade talks will continue and result in a deal. "This partnership has weathered several transitions and we hope that the relationship will continue to move forward based on mutual respect and shared interests," Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told a regular media briefing. Purchases of military equipment from Washington were on course, Jaiswal said, adding that a U.S. defence policy team was expected in Delhi this month. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Over 100 people being investigated for vape offences, say MOH and HSA Singapore Bukit Merah fire: Residents relocated as town council carries out restoration works Singapore askST: What to do in the event of a fire at home Singapore Jalan Bukit Merah fire: PMD battery could have started fatal blaze, says SCDF Singapore askST: What are the fire safety rules for PMDs? Asia AirAsia flight from KL to Incheon lands at wrong airport in South Korea Opinion Could telco consolidation spell the end of attractive mobile plans? Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength Reuters reported last week that India has put on hold its plans to procure new U.S. weapons and aircraft and that a planned trip to Washington by the Indian defence minister had been cancelled. The Indian government subsequently said reports of a pause in the talks were wrong. REUTERS
