In a significant announcement that could reshape India's sporting future, Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared that Ahmedabad is the frontrunner to host the prestigious Olympic Games in 2036. This bold projection comes on the heels of the city's recent successful bid to organise the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
Ahmedabad's Grand Sporting Roadmap
Addressing the crowd at the closing ceremony of the Sansad Khel Mahotsav in Ahmedabad, Amit Shah directly engaged with the citizens. "You recently won the bid for the Commonwealth Games. But, people of Ahmedabad, be prepared, because the city is also going to welcome the Olympics in 2036," Shah stated emphatically. The event was held at the newly constructed Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Naranpura, a facility within Shah's Gandhinagar parliamentary constituency.
Outlining a clear trajectory, the Home Minister revealed that Ahmedabad will stage a series of major national and international sporting events in the lead-up to the 2036 Olympics. This strategic plan is designed to build the city's infrastructure and organisational expertise, culminating in the grand spectacle of the Games.
Massive Infrastructure Push and Funding Boost
Shah highlighted the substantial investments being made in Gujarat's sports infrastructure. He announced that the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex itself was built at a cost of Rs 800 crore. Furthermore, he pointed to other ongoing projects, including the ambitious Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave in Motera.
Connecting infrastructure to performance, Shah credited the Modi government's increased financial commitment to sports for the rising medal count of Indian athletes on the global stage. He provided a striking comparison, noting that sports funding has skyrocketed from Rs 800 crore in 2014 to Rs 4,000 crore in 2025. This five-fold increase, he asserted, is directly translating into podium finishes.
A Confident Vision for 2036
Expressing unwavering confidence in India's athletic potential, Amit Shah made a bold prediction for the nation's performance if the Olympics are held in Ahmedabad. "I am confident that when the Olympics will be held here, India will be among the top five countries in the medal tally," he declared. This statement sets a high national ambition, aiming to break into the elite group of sporting superpowers.
The Home Minister's three-day visit to Gujarat also included the inauguration of the Ahmedabad Shopping Festival on Sindhu Bhavan Road, an event organised by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. However, the spotlight remained firmly on the transformative possibility of bringing the Olympics to Indian soil for the first time, with Ahmedabad positioned as the flagship city for this historic endeavour.
