Commonwealth Games: CGF expect Nigeria, India to file 2030 rights bid documents, government guarantees before November’s votes

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is expecting the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and its Indian counterpart to submit their bid documents and government guarantees of their ability to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games ahead of the November votes to decide the host nation.
The deadline for the submission of bids to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games elapsed yesterday with Nigeria and India the only countries to show concrete interest in staging the event.
Nigeria, with Abuja as host centre and India (Ahmedabad) sent high level delegations to CGF headquarters in London to convince Commonwealth Sport (CGF) of their preparedness to host the Games.
The CGF will vote for a winner at its General Assembly in November.
According to gamesbids.com, interest from Canada subsided in the spring when anchor province Ontario dropped plans to bid due to financial uncertainties. Australia already reneged on the scheduled 2026 edition, forcing contracted host region Victoria to pay a steep penalty and allowing Glasgow, Scotland to step forward with a lightened version of the Games on short notice.
According to the report, two weeks ago Nigerian officials reported on their visit to the CGF’s London headquarters where they discussed the nation’s goals for hosting in Abuja, rules for candidate cities and communications, the timeline for the process and further CGF expectations.
At the meeting, National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman, Shehu Dikko, alongside the commission’s director general, Bukola Olapade, National Olympic Committee president and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member, Habu Gumel, among others, discussed the country’s facilities and the people’s willingness to welcome the Commonwealth to Abuja.
This is Abuja’s second bid to host the Games after losing to Glasgow on a 47-24 vote while pursuing the 2014 edition. Plans still require formal approval from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who has already expressed his support for the project in July.
According to the report, India’s federal government approved the Ahmedabad bid on Wednesday last week and agreed to all necessary guarantees required by the CGF ahead of the deadline. The bid committee formed last month and traveled to London to discuss the project with officials. The government has also passed new sports legislation aimed at providing new support to athletes and improving sports integrity and administration. The Commonwealth Games are considered a stepping stone for India in its pursuit to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
India last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010 in Delhi with an event marred by construction delays and alleged corruption and mismanagement.
Last year, the IOC reprimanded Indian Olympic Association (IOA) officials for poor governance and later warned that without correction, chances of hosting the Games would be diminished. Important revenue sharing payments have been withheld by the IOC until the matter is resolved.