Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi inaugurated the Amdavad Experience Center in Glasgow, Scotland, showcasing Ahmedabad’s heritage, culture, and sporting aspirations. This initiative precedes the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which Ahmedabad is set to host.
The centre, opened during the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, was attended by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President P T Usha and Scottish dignitaries. It highlights Ahmedabad’s history, its status as a UNESCO World Heritage City, sports infrastructure, hospitality, and Gujarati cuisine.
Showcasing Ahmedabad’s Preparations
Sanghavi described Ahmedabad as a city where history and modernity converge, stating that the experience centre offers 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.
He also 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. A video shared by Sanghavi featured garba and dandiya performances with local residents and international participants, which he described as an event uniting people through Gujarat’s traditional dance forms.
Officials overseeing various aspects of the 2030 Games are gaining first-hand experience from the current edition in Glasgow, as preparations for the centenary Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad gather pace. An Indian delegation is in Glasgow to study the operational aspects of organising a multi-sport event.
Strategic Importance for India
Sanghavi emphasised the significance of the event for India, expressing pride that the Commonwealth’s centenary event will take place in Ahmedabad. He mentioned that Ahmedabad is also slated to host several other international tournaments, making this visit crucial. He stated that the team is working towards delivering a historic sporting event and collaborating with the international community 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 following 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 anticipated 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 Glasgow, securing 11 medals, including two gold, six silver, and three bronze.
India’s medallists include Mirabai Chanu (gold, weightlifting), Sharmila Dhankar (gold, women’s shot put F57), Rishikanta Singh (silver, weightlifting), Muthupandi Raja (silver, weightlifting), Gyaneshwari Yadav (silver, weightlifting), Sarvesh Kushare (silver, men’s high jump), Harjinder Kaur (silver, weightlifting), Valluri Ajaya Babu (silver, weightlifting), BindyarDevi (bronze, weightlifting), Shilpa K. Shyla (bronze, women’s shot put F57), and Jhandu Kumar (bronze, para powerlifting).
Community Engagement and Future Outlook
In a related event, children from the Glasgow Indians Association flew kites decorated with Scottish and Indian flags along John Street in Glasgow city centre. This activity, inspired by Ahmedabad’s annual kite festival, was a way to anticipate the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Reuben Ward, a gold medallist for Scotland at Glasgow 2026, and Murali Sreeshankar, a silver medallist for India, joined representatives from Commonwealth Sport and Team India for the event.
P T Usha, President of the Commonwealth Games Association of India, remarked that seeing children in Glasgow flying kites for India was a special moment, offering a glimpse of the welcome Ahmedabad will extend to the Commonwealth in 2030. Dr. Donald Rukare, Commonwealth Sport President, noted that this moment looks ahead to Amdavad 2030 and the ambition to build a lasting legacy for the Commonwealth Games.
The 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad are scheduled to be held in Ahmedabad.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
