India Aims to Host Commonwealth Games 2030; Wants to Conduct Disciplines Axed by Glasgow in 2026 Edition - Report

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India reportedly interested in hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games and also wants to conduct the disciplines, including hockey, badminton and cricket, that were axed from the 2026 edition to ensure that the country's medal tally is not affected in Glasgow.

According to a report by PTI, the Sports Ministry will get the process started to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and want to bring back the disciplines removed in the 2026 edition.

"We are interested in hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games and a formal interaction has taken place with the Commonwealth Games Federation on this. We have also proposed that all the disciplines that have been removed from the 2026 CWG be held in India," a source in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports told PTI.

The last date to submit an 'Expression of Interest' for the 2030 edition set for March 31. If successful, India will become one of the handful of nations that have hosted the quadrennial multi-discipline sporting event more than once.

Last year, in a huge blow to India's medal prospects, key sports such as hockey, badminton, wrestling, cricket and shooting were dropped from the programme by host city Glasgow, which announced a pruned roster of 10 disciplines to keep the event budget-friendly.

Now a report from PTI suggests that Sports Ministry has made an informal proposal to host the disciplines that were dropped from the 2026 CWG edition in Glasgow.

"We are merely looking to ensure that our medal tally does not suffer. An informal proposal (to have axed disciplines in India) has been put across, we will see how the host city responds to it," the source added.

India had given a similar proposal for the archery and shooting competitions of the 2022 CWG in Birmingham and the CGF, along with the host city, had even approved it by agreeing to add the medals won to the finally tally. However, the idea could not be executed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Table tennis, squash and triathlon were also axed by Glasgow in a bid to limit the cost and streamline logistics given that only four venues will host the entire showpiece there.

The total number of events at the Games is nine less than the 2022 Birmingham edition. The 23rd edition of Games is scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 2, marking Glasgow's return as host after 12 years.

Apart from their interest in the CWG, India is also eyeing the hosting rights of the 2036 Olympic Games for which a letter of intent was sent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) last year.

"We are now waiting for the IOC elections to wind up next month for things to move ahead. The final decision on this is not coming before March next year in any case," the source said.