Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi inaugurated the Amdavad Experience Center in Glasgow, Scotland, showcasing the host city’s heritage, culture, and sporting ambitions for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. The Games are scheduled to be held in Ahmedabad, India. The centre was opened on the sidelines of the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president P T Usha and Scottish dignitaries in attendance.
The exhibition at the Amdavad Experience Center highlights Ahmedabad’s history, its UNESCO World Heritage status, sports infrastructure, hospitality, and Gujarati cuisine. Sanghavi described Ahmedabad as a city where history and modernity coexist, offering visitors a preview of what athletes and spectators can expect in 2030. He noted that as India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, Ahmedabad provides a blend of rich history, vibrant culture, timeless heritage, world-class sports infrastructure, and Gujarati cuisine.
Showcasing Ahmedabad’s Preparations
Sanghavi invited people in and around Glasgow to visit the centre to experience the “colours, culture, flavours and spirit of Gujarat” before the Games arrive in Ahmedabad. He also shared a video featuring garba and dandiya performances with local residents and international participants, describing the event as a celebration that united people through traditional Gujarati dance forms.
The Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister stated that preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad are progressing rapidly. He mentioned that an Indian delegation was in Glasgow to study the operational aspects of organising a multi-sport event. Officials overseeing different facets of the 2030 Games are gaining first-hand experience from the ongoing edition, as preparations for the centenary Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad gather pace.
The Ahmedabad Experience Center is designed to host sports federations and athletes from various countries, providing an opportunity to showcase Ahmedabad’s culture, infrastructure, and facilities developed in Gujarat and India. Small interactive sessions have been organised, which will be attended by representatives from international federations and athletes.
Anticipation for the 2030 Games
Sanghavi emphasised the significance of the event for India, expressing pride that the Commonwealth’s centenary event will take place in Ahmedabad. He also noted that Ahmedabad is set to organise several other international tournaments, making the current visit to Glasgow crucial. The goal is to deliver a historic sporting event, with the entire team striving to collaborate with the international fraternity to ensure a positive experience for the Games in Ahmedabad.
Earlier in the year, Sanghavi held discussions with officials from Commonwealth Sport during a high-level delegation’s visit to Gujarat. This visit was to review infrastructure plans and preparations after Ahmedabad’s confirmation as the host city. The delegation, led by Commonwealth Sport President Dr. Donald Rukare, met with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar and inspected proposed competition venues as part of the planning process.
The 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad are expected to strengthen India’s sporting infrastructure and support the country’s ambitions to host the 2036 Olympic Games. Meanwhile, India has had a strong performance in the ongoing Glasgow Commonwealth Games, securing 11 medals, including two gold, six silver, and three bronze.
Children from the Glasgow Indians Association flew kites decorated with Scottish and Indian flags along John Street in Glasgow city centre, inspired by Ahmedabad’s annual kite festival. This event, which took place ahead of the official handover this Sunday, was attended by Reuben Ward, a gold medallist for Scotland at Glasgow 2026, and Murali Sreeshankar, a silver medallist from India, along with representatives from Commonwealth Sport and Team India.
P T Usha, President of the Commonwealth Games Association of India, remarked that seeing children in Glasgow fly kites for India was a special moment, offering a glimpse of the welcome Ahmedabad will extend in 2030. She expressed anticipation to build upon the efforts of Glasgow 2026 in uniting people through sport.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
