Push for Indigenous Sports in 2030 Commonwealth Games

The Indian Sports Ministry is actively promoting the inclusion of indigenous sports like Yogasana, Mallakhambh, Kho-Kho, and Kabaddi in the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which will be hosted in Ahmedabad. Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya expressed optimism about their inclusion, although he acknowledged that only a couple may be selected. Additionally, the ministry is working to enhance the Target Olympic Podium Scheme to increase the number of athletes and improve medal prospects. The government is also exploring the return of Formula One racing to India, with several companies interested in organizing the event. Stay tuned for more updates on these developments.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 14, 2026, 01:54 IST

Inclusion of Indigenous Sports in Commonwealth Games

The Ministry of Sports is advocating for the addition of traditional sports such as Yogasana, Mallakhambh, Kho-Kho, and Kabaddi in the upcoming 2030 Commonwealth Games, set to take place in Ahmedabad.

On Monday, Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya expressed the government's desire to see all four sports included in the event, although he noted that it is likely that only two of them will make the final cut when the complete sports program is announced.

During a recent three-day visit to India, Commonwealth Sports (CS) officials, including President Dr. David Rukare, CEO Katie Sadlier, and Director of Games & Assurance Darren Hall, met with Dr. Mandaviya and Sports Secretary Hari Rajan Rao to discuss preparations.

Dr. Mandaviya stated, 'We discussed these sports in our meeting. Our aim is to have Yogasana, Mallakhambh, Kho-Kho, and Kabaddi featured in the Commonwealth Games in 2030. We are optimistic that some of them will be included when we host the Games.'

Dr. Rukare previously indicated that the complete sports program would be revealed in early 2027, with the total number of sports disciplines expected to range from 15 to 17.

Streamlining the Target Olympic Podium Scheme

The Sports Minister also mentioned efforts to refine the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) to better align with medal-winning goals. He emphasized the need for improved talent identification to bring more athletes into the program.

'We must concentrate on sports like aquatics, cycling, and gymnastics, where there is potential for multiple medals. Our current pool of 399 athletes is insufficient for achieving significant medal counts. We aim to expand this number to over 4,000 in the next decade,' he explained.

Additionally, Dr. Mandaviya revealed the government's interest in reviving Formula One races in India, noting that three companies have shown interest in organizing the event. He mentioned that infrastructure and taxation issues need to be addressed, with existing tracks in Noida, Hyderabad, and Chennai.

Regarding the delay in announcing the national sports awards, ministry sources indicated that the awards committee's recommendations are under review to ensure that only deserving candidates are nominated. 'We cannot distribute 40-50 medals indiscriminately each year; the rewards must reflect actual achievements,' the sources added.