President of the Indian Olympic Association President P. T. Usha holds the Commonwealth Games flag alongside Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and Neeraj Chopra during the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games 2026 at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow
Circa 2010. The India was preparing to host the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games. On a cloudy day, with rain in many parts of Delhi, as a sports journalist working with one of the country’s leading news channels, I, along with other journalists, approached former Sports Minister and veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar. He infamously said: “I am delighted, in a way, because rain showers are causing difficulties for the Commonwealth Games. Basically, I will be unhappy if the Games are successful because they will start bringing Asian Games, Olympic Games. Those who are patronising the Games can only be evil. They cannot be God.” Coming from a former Sports Minister and senior Congress leader, it was a shocker. The remarks were quoted extensively by the national and international media. They also reflected the state of sports in the country at the time. What followed were waves of cynicism, apathy, corruption and negative messaging in the lead-up to, and aftermath of, the Delhi Commonwealth Games 2010.
The Indian team won a total of 29 medals at the International Open Silambam Championship held in Penang, Malaysia, bringing pride to the nation on the global stage.
Silambam is an ancient weapon-based martial art from Tamil Nadu, India, focusing primarily on the bamboo staff, footwork (chuvadus), and fluid spinning movements. Organised under the auspices of the Malaysian Government, the championship featured participants from 11 countries, including China, Malaysia and Canada. A contingent of 22 athletes from the Chennai-based Global Silambam Academy represented India, delivering an impressive medal haul and reaffirming the country’s growing strength in the traditional martial art of Silambam.
The medal-winning athletes received a warm welcome from supporters and academy officials upon their arrival at Chennai International Airport, celebrating India’s remarkable achievement in the international competition.
In 2026, Ahmedabad is the confirmed host city for the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games in 2030. The Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow, in November 2025, unanimously approved the official bid. A major delegation led by the Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister was also present at the Games, learning how to prepare for the grand event in 2030. The massive Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave will be the epicentre of the ceremonies and major athletics events. The Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Naranpura and riverside venues have been earmarked for aquatics and multi-sport indoor disciplines. Major sports complexes and urban infrastructure upgrades are targeted for completion by 2029. As part of the build-up to the event, Ahmedabad has already hosted the Asian Aquatics Championships in 2025, the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in 2025 and the Asian Weightlifting Championships in 2026. The target is to be fully prepared in time for the Games. The larger objective is to leverage the Games to eventually host the Olympic Games.
Amidst this backdrop, the country witnessed the passing of the baton from Glasgow to Ahmedabad during the closing ceremony of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026. Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, formally declared the Games closed. The handover ceremony at the Hydro marked the transition from Scotland to India. The Commonwealth Games flag made its symbolic journey across the arena. Led by flag bearers carrying the Scottish and Indian flags, the procession lowered the folded Games flag. Commonwealth Sport President Donald Rukare handed over the flag to two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra, Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha, and Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi. Sanghavi said: “We embrace the responsibility of staging what will be the centenary Games with deep gratitude. Amdavad is a significant milestone. India is committed to establishing itself as a global sporting capital.”
There are two significant barometers by which a nation’s sporting strength is measured. First is its infrastructural capability to host sporting events of global significance on a regular basis. Second is its success in terms of podium finishes, world championships and major trophies. Since Independence, India has hosted only a few sporting events of global significance. Except for cricket, and to some extent hockey, India’s achievements at the highest level have been relatively limited considering the country’s population. After the 2010 Commonwealth Games, a significant section of policymakers reconciled themselves to the notion that India lacked the wherewithal to become a global sporting nation. The seeds of change began to germinate from 2014 onwards.
Brimming with confidence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Government began implementing a long-term vision for the country’s sporting landscape. The first focus was at the grassroots level. Earlier, players had limited opportunities to compete regularly at the state and national levels. Even the National Games, which were supposed to be held every two years, were not organised for several years. It was against this backdrop that the ambitious Khelo India Games were launched. As a broadcaster and sports media professional, I have been associated with the Games since their formative years. Today, it is arguably the world’s most ambitious and strong grassroots sports initiative. Every year, the Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo India University Games, Khelo India Winter Games, Khelo India Beach Games and Khelo India Para-Games are organised, with players from across the country competing enthusiastically.
Recently, the Khelo India Strategic Mission 2026 was announced by the Union Cabinet. If executed properly, it will transform the country’s sporting landscape. This is a ten-year strategic roadmap featuring a record financial allocation of Rs 4,47,988 crore. Its key pillars include integrated talent pathways, sports science integration, infrastructure development, leagues and sports goods initiatives. The broader objective is to align with the national ambition of positioning India among the top ten sporting nations by 2036 and among the top five by 2047.
Secondly, through TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme), a proper talent identification and nurturing system has been put in place. India now has a feeder system with the potential to produce medal winners consistently. Thirdly, the Modi Government is following an inclusive approach by placing para sports on par with able-bodied sports. From including the Khelo India Para Games at the grassroots level to incorporating para athletes into TOPS, the country’s sporting ambition has become truly inclusive.
Fourthly, India has hosted global sporting events regularly over the past five years. Apart from the Men’s and Women’s Cricket World Cups, the country has hosted the Asian Aquatics Championships, the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships and the Asian Weightlifting Championships, among others. In addition, the Kho Kho World Cup and the World Yogasana Championships have been organised, both of which have the potential to bring indigenous sports into the mainstream of global competition. Lastly, the stage has been set to realise the sporting potential of the North-Eastern states and Jammu & Kashmir. These regions have the potential to become major engines of India’s sporting growth.
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games offer a glimpse into India’s sporting progress. India finished fourth in the Games, securing 39 medals, including 13 gold, 17 silver and 9 bronze medals. A contingent of 122 athletes represented the country. The Games will be remembered for India’s dominance in boxing. India won 10 boxing medals, including seven gold medals—the highest by any nation in boxing at a single Commonwealth Games. India also achieved a breakthrough in judo, winning two gold medals through Asmita Dey and Harsh Singh. Mirabai Chanu’s remarkable run in weightlifting continued with another medal-winning performance. Most importantly, India’s para athletes secured a record seven medals, including two gold medals.
What does this progress report tell us? Are we moving in the right direction to achieve the national ambition of becoming one of the top five sporting nations by 2047? The answer is both yes and no. While India’s medal strike rate has improved at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and Olympics, the pace is still insufficient to achieve the ambitious target by 2047. India has put a strong structure in place. Now, better execution of policies and incremental improvements in existing initiatives are required. In this context, a fivefold path is suggested.
First, foreign universities and athletes should be included in the Khelo India Games to make the competition more challenging for Indian athletes. Second, a comprehensive train-the-trainer programme should be developed through international partnerships to create world-class coaches and support staff at every level. Third, world-class training centres should be established nationally and then at the zonal level in association with reputed leagues and universities across the world.