Sports News

London [UK], September 23 (ANI): India on Tuesday formally presented its proposal to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games to the Evaluation Committee of Commonwealth Sport in London.

The Indian team was led by Harsh Sanghavi, Minister of Sports, Government of Gujarat and Dr. P T Usha, President, Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary, Sports, Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS); Government of India; Ashwini Kumar, Principal Secretary, Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities Department, Government of Gujarat; Banchha Nidhi Pani, Commissioner, Amdavad Municipal Corporation, Raghuram Iyer, CEO, Commonwealth Games Association of India, Lt Gen Harpal Singh, Executive Board Member, CGA India and Ajay Narang, EA to President, CGA were also part of the presenting team from India, as per a press release.

The 2030 edition carries historic significance, marking 100 years of the Commonwealth Sport Movement. India’s bid positions Ahmedabad as the host city for this Centenary edition, offering a compact Games footprint centred on international-standard venues, robust transport systems, and high-quality accommodation.

Aligned with the Games Reset principles, the proposal places strong emphasis on affordability, inclusivity, flexibility, and sustainability. It commits to the integration of para-sport, protection of human rights, promotion of gender equity, and embedding of a long-term legacy framework that ensures benefits extend beyond the Games to athletes, communities, and the wider Commonwealth.

Ahmedabad’s proven hosting record further strengthens India’s candidature, with successful delivery of events such as the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the 2022 National Games. The city will also host the Asian Aquatics 2025, Asian Weightlifting Championships 2026, World Police and Fire Games 2029 and several other multi and single sports events, adding operational experience in the lead-up to 2030.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of Sports, Government of Gujarat, said “Hosting the Centenary Commonwealth Games in Amdavad will be a proud milestone, not just for Gujarat but for India. We see these Games as a catalyst — to inspire our youth, accelerate our journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047, and strengthen the Commonwealth Movement for the next 100 years.”

Adding to this, the President, Commonwealth Games Association of India, said “India’s bid is not just about capability, but about values. Ahmedabad is ready to pick up the baton from Glasgow 2026 and act as a springboard to the 2034 Games, ensuring that the Centenary edition honours the past while shaping the future of Commonwealth Sport.”

With strong and coordinated support from the Government of India, the Government of Gujarat, and the Commonwealth Games Association of India, the proposal highlights India’s ambition to deliver Games that are compact, sustainable, inclusive, and globally impactful. (ANI)

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Dubai [UAE], September 23 (ANI): India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate outlined the threat posed by “champion” bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who stands on the verge of making history for Bangladesh during their Super Fours clash at the ongoing Asia Cup on Wednesday in Dubai.

Mustafizur, a known personality in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has emerged as one of the prominent wicket-takers in the T20 format. With 149 T20I wickets in 117 matches, Mustafizur, who is the joint-highest wicket-taker for Bangladesh alongside former all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, stands one shy of becoming the fourth overall to scythe 150 scalps in the format.

While Doeschate acknowledged the talented pool of Bangladesh’s players, he had special praise in store for Mustafizur. At the same time, Doeschate classified the 30-year-old as Bangladesh’s “premium” bowler and a player highly rated by the Indian management.

“Yeah, he’s a champion. He’s been around a long time. A very skilful bowler. We obviously know the skill sets that he brings. And I think for someone to do so well internationally over such a long time and obviously goes to IPL and does very well as well when he goes there. There are many good players on the Bangladesh side. And Mustafiz is probably their premium bowler. So yeah, we rate him high,” Doeschate said while speaking to reporters on Tuesday.

However, Mustafizur has struggled to scalp wickets against the T20 world champions. In 13 appearances against India, he has managed just eight scalps at an average of over 57.

In the ongoing tournament, the crafty quick has enjoyed a prolific run on the UAE’s surfaces. He boasts seven wickets in four appearances at an average of 15 with best figures of 3/20. He is also the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the 2025 Asia Cup.

India squad for Asia Cup: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.

Bangladesh squad for Asia Cup: Litton Das (c), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Shaif Uddin. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], September 23 (ANI): With just two days to go for the World Para Athletics Championships 2025 in the nation’s capital, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday visited the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to oversee final preparations for the marquee event.

The championship marks a new chapter in India’s ability to stage global competitions of such scale, further strengthening the nation’s position as a hub for international sports.

Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs, Raksha Khadse, also joined Mandaviya in meeting and interacting with the athletes. Several senior officials from the Local Organising Committee, the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), and the Sports Ministry also attended the inspection, as per a press release from the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

Mandaviya took a detailed tour of the stadium, including areas such as the Accreditation Centre, Medical Centre, the newly laid warm-up track, and the main Mondo track, amongst others, which he had inaugurated on August 29, 2025. The track will host some of the world’s finest para-athletes from over 100 countries during the championships. There will be a total of 73 para-athletes vying for the top spot from the host nation.

“Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, India has emerged as a trusted destination for hosting major international sporting events. His belief that the world is one family — ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ — inspires us to bring athletes from across the globe together on Indian soil,” Mandaviya said during the inspection.

“With more than 100 nations participating, this is not only the biggest para-athletics event ever hosted by India, but also a reflection of our capability, rich culture, and commitment to sports as a unifying force. Our effort is to ensure that every para-athlete experiences world-class infrastructure and feels fully supported here at the World Para Athletics Championships,” he added.

Para-athletes, including Paris Paralympics medallist Sharad Kumar, were also present with Simran Sharma and Preeti Pal, who have been practising on the Mondo track.

Officials from the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) were also present, including PCI President Devender Jhajharia, who briefed the minister on the readiness of the Indian contingent. The two Ministers also inspected various key facilities like the accreditation centre, warm-up track, gym, medical centre, classification area, and lounges, and reiterated staff and volunteers to ensure seamless arrangements for participants and officials.

The tournament, set to begin with the opening ceremony scheduled for September 25, marks the first time India is hosting the prestigious event. (ANI)

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