Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi inaugurated the Amdavad Experience Center in Glasgow, Scotland, showcasing the host city’s heritage, culture, and sporting ambitions in anticipation of the 2030 Commonwealth Games. These centenary Games are scheduled to be held in Ahmedabad, India.
The inauguration event saw Sanghavi accompanied by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president P T Usha and various Scottish dignitaries. The centre, located at the venue of the ongoing Commonwealth Games, aims to provide visitors with a preview of what Ahmedabad offers to athletes and spectators in 2030. The exhibition highlights Ahmedabad‘s history, its status as a Unesco World Heritage City, its sports infrastructure, hospitality, and Gujarati cuisine.
Sanghavi described Ahmedabad as a city where history and modernity converge, offering a blend of rich history, vibrant culture, timeless heritage, world-class sports facilities, warm hospitality, and globally appreciated Gujarati cuisine. He extended an invitation to people in and around Glasgow to visit the centre and experience the “colours, culture, flavours and spirit of Gujarat” before the Games arrive in Ahmedabad.
Cultural exchange and sporting ambitions
A video shared by Sanghavi on social media featured garba and dandiya performances by local residents and international participants, illustrating a cultural exchange between Gujarat and Glasgow. He noted that the rhythm of these traditional dance forms remained consistent from Gujarat to Glasgow, fostering unity across borders.
The establishment of the Amdavad Experience Center is part of Ahmedabad‘s broader efforts to showcase its sporting infrastructure and cultural heritage as it prepares to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Sanghavi mentioned that sports federations and athletes from various countries would be hosted at the centre, with small interactive sessions planned for representatives from international federations and athletes. This initiative is designed to highlight Ahmedabad‘s culture, infrastructure, and the facilities developed in Gujarat and India.
Earlier, an Indian delegation was in Glasgow to study the operational aspects of organising a multi-sport event. Officials involved in different facets of the 2030 Games were gaining first-hand experience from the ongoing Commonwealth Games, as preparations for the centenary event in Ahmedabad accelerate. Sanghavi had previously held discussions with officials from Commonwealth Sport in April during a high-level delegation’s visit to Gujarat 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. Dr. Rukare also extended an invitation to the Gujarat Chief Minister to attend the ongoing Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Looking ahead to 2030
The 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad are anticipated to play a significant role in strengthening India‘s sporting infrastructure. These Games are also expected to bolster the country’s ambitions of hosting the 2036 Olympic Games.
In a separate event, Glasgow 2026 gold medallist Reuben Ward from Team Scotland and silver medallist Murali Sreeshankar from Team India joined representatives from Commonwealth Sport and Team India to look ahead to the 2030 Commonwealth Games. This occasion took place before the official handover ceremony scheduled for this Sunday.
Inspired by Ahmedabad‘s annual kite festival, 30 children from the local community group Glasgow Indians Association flew kites adorned with Scottish and Indian flags through the streets of Glasgow. The kites were flown along John Street, which includes the City Chambers, a significant location from this year’s Opening Ceremony. The kite festival is a central part of Gujarat‘s cultural calendar, attracting participants and spectators globally, with thousands of kites filling the sky.
PT Usha, President of the Commonwealth Games Association of India, expressed that seeing children in Glasgow flying kites for India was a special moment. She noted that this offered a small glimpse of the welcome Amdavad would extend to the Commonwealth in 2030, and expressed eagerness to build upon the achievements of Glasgow 2026 in uniting people through sport. Dr. Donald Rukare, Commonwealth Sport President, remarked that this moment looks ahead to Amdavad 2030 and the ambition to build a lasting legacy for the Commonwealth Games, indicating a bright future for the Movement with Amdavad and the Malta 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games on the horizon.
Meanwhile, India has had a strong campaign in Glasgow, securing 11 medals so far, comprising two gold, six silver, and three bronze medals. The 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).
Scotland‘s gymnast Reuben Ward stated that Glasgow 2026 and the Commonwealth Games would always hold a special place in his heart, attributing his achievements to the support received. He expressed hope to represent Team Scotland again in India in four years’ time. India‘s long jump silver medallist, Murali Sreeshankar, conveyed his excitement about the Games beginning their journey to his home country, anticipating welcoming the world in 2030. He observed how the local community in Glasgow supports the Games and its athletes, perceiving this as a new era for the Games that will be special in Amdavad.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
