Latest news with #CommonwealthSports
RNZ News
7 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
'Strong candidate' India upbeat about 2030 Commonwealth Games bid
Opening Ceremony at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games. Photo: photosport 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. 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
CNA
7 days ago
- Politics
- CNA
Games-'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. 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.
New Indian Express
11-08-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
SAI vacancies a major concern for sports
The passage of the National Sports Governance Bill and India's bids for the 2036 Olympics and 2030 Commonwealth Games have been dominating the sporting discourse for a while. In fact, the Commonwealth Games bid, which not too many countries are interested in hosting, has reached an advanced stage where delegations from Commonwealth Sports have visited Ahmedabad, the projected host city. However, hosting big-ticket events or passing a bill is one thing, but developing a strong sporting nation is another. Given the tall ambitions, severe understaffing at the Sports Authority of India, the nation's premier body in the field, does not bode well. SAI not only facilitates and funds sports organisations, it also takes care of grassroots development through its training centres and the sports ministry's flagship Khelo India schemes. Given this, the government's recent admission in the Rajya Sabha that only 860 of SAI's sanctioned 1,524 coaching positions are filled should worry us. There are shortages of high-performance coaches (15 of the sanctioned 50 appointed), chief coaches (47 of 100), senior coaches (71 of 200), and assistant coaches. The issue, however, is not about SAI's efforts on the front—the tepid response to its advertisements reveals a lack of available or interested talent. With more sports academies mushrooming across the country, coaches have found more remunerative careers elsewhere. To counter this, SAI needs to review its policy of giving contractual and on-deputation positions to coaches, who would prefer more job security.
