From cricket’s capital to Olympic ambitions, India’s next play on the world sports stage
With a massive population, a rapidly growing economy and already the global powerbroker in cricket, India is preparing to expand its influence in international sport. The 2030 Commonwealth Games are already locked in for Ahmedabad, and there's high expectations for India's bid to host the 2036 Olympics. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisioned a developed India by 2047, and the government is focused on improving living standards, transport infrastructure, education and becoming a global hub for tech and innovation.
NEW DELHI (AP) — With a massive population , a rapidly growing economy and already the global powerbroker in cricket, India is preparing to expand its influence in international sport. The 2030 Commonwealth Games are already locked in for Ahmedabad, and there's high expectations for India's bid to host the 2036 Olympics . Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisioned a developed India by 2047, and the government is focused on improving living standards, transport infrastructure, education and becoming a global hub for tech and innovation .
And that's the bedrock of India’s aspirations for the Olympics and beyond. “India today reflects a confident and aspirational mindset, ready to lead and shape the future of global sport,” Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, said in an interview with The Associated Press.
“Our growing capability to host major international sporting events is a testament to how far we have progressed. “At the same time, our athletes continue to make the nation proud across sports disciplines, signaling the steady rise of India as a formidable sporting force. ” On Thursday, Mandaviya was due to preside over a national sports conclave in Delhi, where India’s preparedness for the 2026 Asian Games and Commonweath Games, as well as the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, will be measured.
Discussion topics also included compliance to the National Sports Governance Act that was introduced last year, pertaining to transparency of national sports federations, and the hosting of and participation in international events. So far in 2026, India has hosted three high-profile cricket events — the men’s Twenty20 World Cup , the Women’s Premier League and currently the Indian Premier League , one of the richest and most followed franchise leagues in international sport. New Delhi is hosting the badminton world championships, Bhubaneshwar is slated to host a World Athletics Continental Tour meet and Ahmedabad is set to host the Asian weightlifting championships.
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