Excitement Builds for Amdavad 2030 Commonwealth Games as Glasgow Celebrates
Celebrating the Future of Commonwealth Games
On July 31, Glasgow, Scotland, witnessed a heartwarming event as Reuben Ward, gold medallist from Glasgow 2026, and silver medallist Murali Sreeshankar from Team India, gathered with Commonwealth Sport representatives and Team India to look forward to the 2030 Commonwealth Games, set to take place in Amdavad, Gujarat. This event precedes the official handover scheduled for this Sunday.
In a nod to Amdavad's vibrant kite festival, 30 children from the Glasgow Indians Association took to the streets, flying kites adorned with the flags of Scotland and India. This colorful display occurred along John Street, near the City Chambers, the same location where Sir Chris Hoy and Greg McHugh made their memorable entrance during this year's Opening Ceremony.
The two-day kite festival is a highlight of Gujarat's cultural scene, drawing kite enthusiasts and spectators from around the world, filling the skies with a dazzling array of kites in various shapes and colors.
Joining the athletes and children were notable figures such as Commonwealth Sport President Dr. Donald Rukare, CEO Katie Sadleir, and Team India representatives, including President PT Usha and CEO Raghuram Iyer, along with Commonwealth Games Scotland CEO Jon Doig.
PT Usha expressed her joy, stating, “Watching children in Glasgow fly kites for India is a touching moment for us all. It offers a glimpse of the warm welcome Amdavad will extend to the Commonwealth in 2030, and we are eager to build upon the connections fostered during Glasgow 2026 through sports.”
Reuben Ward, Scotland's rising gymnastics star, shared his sentiments, saying, “The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will always hold a special significance for me. I owe my achievements to the incredible support I received. I hope to represent Team Scotland again in India in four years.”
Murali Sreeshankar, who earned a silver medal in long jump, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “It’s thrilling to see the Games making their way to my homeland. We are eager to welcome the world in 2030. Observing the local community's support for the Games and its athletes in Glasgow has been inspiring. This marks a new chapter for the Games, and I am confident it will be extraordinary in Amdavad.”
Dr. Donald Rukare, President of Commonwealth Sport, remarked, “This moment signifies our vision for Amdavad 2030 and our goal to create a lasting legacy for the Commonwealth Games. With Amdavad and the Malta 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games on the horizon, the future of the Movement looks promising.”