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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Gujarat set to host 7 international sporting events over next 5 years,
Ahmedabad: Gujarat is set to host seven international sporting events in Ahmedabad over five years, with three major competitions scheduled for 2025 alone, according to a government press statement released on Tuesday. India serves as one of seven host countries for the Asian Football Confederation Under-17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers from November 22 to 30. (Representational image) The Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship 2025 will be held at the newly built Naranpura Sports Complex from August 24 to 30, with 350 players from 29 countries participating, it said. The Asian Aquatics Championship 2025 follows in September-October, featuring swimmers from China, Japan, and Korea. India serves as one of seven host countries for the Asian Football Confederation Under-17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers from November 22 to 30. The Arena by TransStadia in Ahmedabad will host all matches scheduled in India, including Group D matches with teams from India, Iran, Palestine, Chinese Taipei, and Lebanon, as per the release. Ahmedabad will host the Asian Weightlifting Championship and the Archery Asia Para Cup World Ranking Tournament in 2026. India has secured the rights to host the World Police and Fire Games 2029, which will take place across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Ekta Nagar in Gujarat, it added. The Indian Olympic Association has approved India's bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with Ahmedabad proposed as the host city. The final decision on the host will be made in November. These events represent steps toward establishing Gujarat as a multi-sport destination, the statement said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his tenure as chief minister of Gujarat, initiated efforts to place the state on the global sports map, a vision the current government under chief minister Bhupendra Patel continues to implement, it said. The state now operates sports complexes and facilities that meet international standards. Athletes from Gujarat compete at national and international levels, the release added. The Khel Mahakumbh initiative, launched during Modi' tenure as chief minister, contributed to the state's sports development. Chief minister Bhupendra Patel introduced the Sports Policy 2022-27, which supports Gujarat's athletes. The state's infrastructure now enables it to host international competitions.
NDTV
06-08-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Ahmedabad To Host AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers In November
India will be one of the seven hosts of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers, scheduled to be played from November 22 to 30, 2025. All matches in India will be held at The Arena in Ahmedabad. The official draw for the qualifiers is set to be held on August 7, 2025. A total of 38 countries will compete in the qualifiers. These teams will be divided into seven groups, comprising three groups of six teams and four groups of five teams. The winners of each group will qualify for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026. They will join nine other AFC teams that have already secured qualification to the FIFA U17 World Cup Qatar 2025. All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey said, "It is a matter of great pride for India to be among the hosts of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers, and I am particularly pleased to see Ahmedabad take centre stage. This is an excellent opportunity for our boys to perform on home soil, and for the city of Ahmedabad to showcase its capability to host elite international competitions. I wish our boys the very best, and sincerely hope that they qualify for the AFC U17 Asian Cup, which serves as the gateway to the FIFA U17 World Cup, and take another important step forward in Indian football's long-term development pathway." Gujarat Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Harsh Sanghavi also welcomed the development, calling it a proud moment for the state. "This is a proud moment for Indian football and Gujarat. It's an opportunity for the state to showcase its love for the beautiful game, its world-class hospitality, and our rising football culture. Hosting a prestigious event such as this will position Ahmedabad on the Asian football map," Sanghavi said. The 38 participating teams have been divided into six seeding pots based on their performances in the previous three editions of the tournament (2025, 2023 and 2018). India has been placed in Pot 2, and also in a separate Hosts Pot to ensure no two host nations are drawn into the same group. Other host countries include China PR, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Kyrgyz Republic and Jordan. These teams will be placed in separate groups during the draw. Pots for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers Draw: Pot 1: Australia, Yemen, Iran, Oman, Thailand. Pot 2: Afghanistan, Malaysia, Iraq, Bangladesh, Laos, Kuwait. Pot 3: Singapore, Bahrain, Philippines, Turkmenistan, Palestine. Pot 4: Syria, Mongolia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Brunei Darussalam. Pot 5: Nepal, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Maldives, Timor-Leste, Lebanon. Pot 6: Macau, Sri Lanka, Pakistan. Hosts Pot: China PR, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Myanmar, Kyrgyz Republic, Jordan. Qualifiers Dates: November 22-30, 2025. Venue: The Arena, Ahmedabad.
