Ahmedabad's Transformation into India's Sports Capital
The city of Ahmedabad is rapidly establishing itself as India's premier sports infrastructure hub, with its recent selection as the proposed host for the Commonwealth Games 2030 marking a significant milestone in this journey. In October 2025, the executive board of Commonwealth Sport officially recommended Ahmedabad as the proposed host city for CWG 2030, cementing its position as the focal point of India's ambitious sports development strategy.
World-Class Facilities Driving Sporting Success
The recently concluded Asian Aquatics Championships in September 2025 provided a compelling demonstration of how Ahmedabad's infrastructure is already yielding results for Indian athletes. India achieved its best-ever performance with 13 medals at the championships, finishing 11th in the overall standings while China dominated with 54 medals, including 40 gold.
This remarkable achievement was significantly aided by the state-of-the-art facilities at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Naranpura, where the championships were held. Indian swimmers benefited from a month-long training camp at the newly constructed Olympic-standard pool within the 20-acre complex that houses 18 different sports facilities.
Swimmer Sajan Prakash, who won both silver and bronze medals at the Asian championships, emphasized the advantage of training in the advanced facility. "The Myrtha pool is designed to reduce resistance, making it ideal for high-level competitive swimming. Training here for a month provided our team with a significant competitive edge," Prakash explained.
Engineering Excellence in Sports Infrastructure
The aquatic center at Veer Savarkar Sports Complex represents the pinnacle of sports engineering in India. Former Olympian swimmer Hakimuddin Habibulla, now a director at Myrtha Pools India, detailed the sophisticated technology behind the pool's design. "We employed computational fluid dynamics to optimize water flow, ensuring both hygiene and zero surface turbulence during competitions. The specially designed wall inlets prevent any disruption to the water surface," Habibulla revealed.
Built at a cost of Rs 820 crores, the sports complex represents just one component of Ahmedabad's expanding sports infrastructure. The facility includes an indoor multi-sports arena, community sports center, Fit India Zone, and a Centre for Sports Excellence that will be managed by the Sports Authority of India.
Strategic Vision for Global Sporting Events
Ahmedabad's ambitions extend far beyond the Commonwealth Games 2030. The city has been proposed as the host city for the 2036 Olympic Games, representing India's first serious bid for the world's largest sporting event.
Ashwini Kumar, Principal Secretary of Sports, Youth & Cultural Activities Department, articulated the strategic thinking behind Ahmedabad's selection. "Ahmedabad already boasts the world's largest cricket stadium and has demonstrated its capability to host major events through successful IPL matches, World Cup cricket games, and massive concerts. The political vision is clear - to establish Ahmedabad as India's undisputed sports capital," Kumar stated.
The city's event calendar is rapidly filling up with international competitions. Before hosting the Asian Aquatics Championships, the Veer Savarkar Complex welcomed the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in August 2025, with the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships scheduled next. Additionally, Ahmedabad has been allotted the World Police and Fire Games in 2029, expected to attract approximately 10,000 participants.
Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani highlighted the rapid development timeline, noting that "the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex was completed in just three years, created with the specific vision of attracting international sports to Ahmedabad."
The city's transformation into a sports hub is further accelerated by the under-construction Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, which will incorporate the existing Narendra Modi cricket stadium and serve as another key venue for the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
As Ahmedabad continues to build world-class infrastructure and host increasingly prestigious international events, the city is positioning itself not just as India's sports capital, but as a serious contender on the global sporting stage.
