Amdavad 2030: Commonwealth Sport Board Hails Progress for Centenary Games
Commonwealth Sport Executive Board praises progress for the Centenary Games in Amdavad, India, as the organizing company takes shape.
The road to the Amdavad 2030 Commonwealth Games is officially gaining momentum. The Commonwealth Sport Executive Board recently convened to review the state of the movement, expressing strong satisfaction with the progress being made toward hosting the historic Centenary Games in India.
From Glasgow to Amdavad: Passing the Baton
The Board's meeting served as both a reflection and a roadmap. While looking forward to India, the Board took a moment to pay tribute to Commonwealth Games Scotland and the Glasgow 2026 Organising Company for their instrumental role in delivering a successful event in Scotland. With the conclusion of the Glasgow games, the focus has now shifted entirely toward the milestone celebrations in 2030.
The Amdavad Games will hold special significance as they mark exactly 100 years since the inaugural Commonwealth Games were held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930. The city of Amdavad was officially confirmed as the host during the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly held in Glasgow in November 2025.
Building the Foundation: The Organizing Company
To ensure the seamless delivery of this massive sporting event, the Amdavad 2030 Organising Company (OC) was formally incorporated on August 31, 2026. The organization has already hit the ground running, holding its first Board meeting in late September to outline the strategic direction of the Games.
Leadership at the Helm
In a move to bring seasoned administrative expertise to the project, Shri M. Thennarasan has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer. A senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Thennarasan brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as:
- Municipal Commissioner of both Amdavad and Surat.
- Principal Secretary for Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities for the Gujarat Government.
His background in urban development and sports governance is expected to be pivotal in managing the infrastructure and logistics required for a global event of this scale.
High-Level Support and Next Steps
The preparations for the 2030 Games are backed by significant political and athletic leadership in India. Key figures providing support include Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, and PT Usha, the President of the Commonwealth Games Association of India.
The immediate priority for the Organising Company is now the recruitment of key executive and director roles. This expansion is seen as critical to building the organizational capacity needed to accelerate planning and drive the delivery of the event.
"Glasgow delivered a fantastic celebration of Commonwealth sport... With the baton now in India’s hands, we are entering an important phase in the journey towards Amdavad 2030," stated Dr Donald Rukare, President of Commonwealth Sport.
Dr. Rukare emphasized that the establishment of the Organising Company and the appointment of CEO M. Thennarasan have laid the necessary foundations. He added that Commonwealth Sport will continue to work closely with the Indian government, the Commonwealth Games Association of India, and the International Federation community to maintain the current momentum for a successful centenary celebration.