The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is expecting the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) to submit its documents and government guarantees of its bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games on or before November.
The CGF will decide the host nation at its general assembly in November, with Nigeria and India the countries that met the August 31 deadline for the submission of bids to host the Games.
Nigeria, with Abuja as host centre and India (Ahmedabad) sent high-level delegations to the CGF Headquarters in London to convince the Commonwealth Games Federation of their preparedness to host the Games.
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 on their visit to the CGF’s London headquarters 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 travelled 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, alleged corruption and mismanagement.
Last year, the IOC reprimanded Indian Olympic Association (IOA) officials for poor governance and later warned that without correction, the chances of hosting the Games would be diminished. Important revenue-sharing payments have been withheld by the IOC until the matter is resolved.
