Nigeria loses Commonwealth Games host bid

Nigeria has lost the bid to host the 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games, as India’s western city of Ahmedabad has been recommended by the Commonwealth Sport Executive Board as the preferred host. The decision, made after an extensive evaluation process, places India ahead of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, which had also submitted a strong proposal. The final […]

Nigeria has lost the bid to host the 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games, as India’s western city of Ahmedabad has been recommended by the Commonwealth Sport Executive Board as the preferred host.

The decision, made after an extensive evaluation process, places India ahead of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, which had also submitted a strong proposal.

The final decision will be ratified at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow on November 26. Should the recommendation be approved, it will mark the second time in 20 years that India hosts the Games, following Delhi 2010.

Ahmedabad’s selection was bolstered by its world-class infrastructure, particularly the Narendra Modi Stadium — the largest in the world with a 132,000-seating capacity — which hosted the 2023 Cricket World Cup final. The city, with a population exceeding five million, has even been touted as a future Olympic host.

“Today’s recommendation is strategically important for the future of the Commonwealth Sport Movement. It builds on the platform that Glasgow 2026 will provide and sets a clear direction for the years ahead,” said Katie Sadleir, Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Sport.

For Nigeria, this marks another missed opportunity after Abuja was previously overlooked for the 2014 Games in favour of Glasgow. The decision means Africa’s long wait to host the Commonwealth Games continues.

 

Nigeria’s bid came too late- Yakmut

Speaking exclusively to Daily Trust yesterday, a former Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), and the District Head of Chanso community in Plateau state, His Royal Highness, Dr. Alhassan Yakmut, said the bidding process came too late but said he believed lessons must have been learnt.

“The bidding process came too late for us to make an impact. I think we put up a bidding proposal about three months to the deadline.

“We ought to have prepared a long time ago. Also, some of us like myself, General Yakubu Gowon and a host of others who were part of the bidding committee for the 2014 edition were not consulted. We wanted to bring the Games to Africa for the first time.

“Currently, we don’t have up to 80% of the infrastructure needed to host and that must have played a role.

“We must have learnt our lessons by now. With this, we should bid for the 2034 edition and the preparation for that should start immediately,” he said.