Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has set an ambitious vision for Ahmedabad and India on the global sports stage. Speaking in Ahmedabad on Friday, he declared that the city must prepare to host the 2036 Olympic Games, following its successful bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
From Commonwealth to Olympic Ambitions
Addressing the gathering at the valedictory function of the Sansad Khelkud Mahotsav for the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, Shah made a direct appeal to the residents. "Gujarat has won the bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030. Residents of Ahmedabad, prepare yourselves for hosting the 2036 Olympic Games as well," he stated emphatically.
Shah expressed unwavering confidence in India's athletic potential, linking it directly to this future mega-event. "I completely believe this, that when the Olympic Games are held in the country in 2036, India's medal tally will be among the top five nations," he asserted, setting a clear national target.
Gujarat's Sports Infrastructure and Budget Surge
The minister highlighted the rapid transformation of sports infrastructure as a foundation for these ambitions. He pointed out that the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad has been developed into an international-level facility, with many similar complexes emerging across the country in the last decade.
Shah provided concrete figures to underscore the government's financial commitment to sports. He revealed that the Union government's sports budget skyrocketed from Rs 800 crore in 2014 to Rs 4,000 crore in 2025, indicating a five-fold increase aimed at nurturing athletic talent.
He also credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative for MPs to organize sports competitions in their constituencies, a scheme now active in 300 Lok Sabha constituencies, for helping to identify raw sporting talent from the grassroots.
A Packed Calendar and Broader Engagements
Outlining the immediate future for Ahmedabad, Shah announced that the city is slated to host 13 international sporting events over the next four years. He described Gujarat's holistic approach as the country's biggest "sports movement," integrating infrastructure, events, and talent scouting.
Earlier on the same day, the Union Minister was involved in a series of events across Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. His engagements included:
- Inaugurating ‘Swadeshotsav 2025’ organized by Swarnim Jagaran Manch and Swarnim Bharat Varsh Foundation.
- Launching the Ahmedabad Shopping Festival.
- Presiding over the Earth Summit organized by NABARD.
- Inaugurating new schools and rejuvenated lakes in the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency.
Shah's schedule remains busy, with plans to launch several development projects in the Vav-Tharad and Banaskantha districts on Saturday, further emphasizing the region's ongoing progress.
