Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Monday that the 2030 Commonwealth Games are likely to include two indigenous Indian sports in an elaborate program of events that is sure to have hockey and cricket among others.
A Commonwealth sports delegation, led by President Donald Rukar, CEO Katie Sadleir, Director of Games and Assurance Darren Hall, Director of Sport Ann-Louise Morgan and Major Events Expert Neil Carney, was in India last week to review preparations in the host city of Ahmedabad.
The delegation met Mandaviya on Friday and discussed the timeline to ensure “effective delivery” and legacy planning for optimal use of the infrastructure after the Games.
“Kabaddi, Mallakhamb, Kho-Kho and Yoga are being considered from our indigenous sports. Two of them should gain ground,” Mandaviya told reporters during an interaction here.
The minister also confirmed that cricket and hockey, which failed to make it to the upcoming edition in Glasgow this year, will certainly return to the 17-sport roster. The Glasgow Games are to feature only 10 events and India’s major medal sports such as shooting, wrestling and badminton have been dropped to avoid inflating the overall cost.
“There will be cricket and hockey,” he claimed.
“Commonwealth Sport came back with a very good impression of India and its initiatives like the Khelo India Scheme which has crossed 60,000 athletes representing more than 30 states and union territories,” he said.
Athletics and Para Athletics, Swimming and Para Swimming, Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis, Bowls and Para Bowls, Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting, Artistic Gymnastics, Netball and Boxing are confirmed disciplines for CWG 2030.
Two sports other than hockey, T20 cricket and rugby sevens are compulsory in the CWG.
Mandaviya had earlier said that they are going to launch a nationwide campaign with iconic athletes and youth leaders to kick-start the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad.
The Commonwealth Games will return to the country for the first time in two decades. India hosted the event for the first time and so far in 2010 in Delhi.
India won the hosting rights last year, beating competition from Nigeria.
The country is also aiming to host the Olympics in 2036, again in Ahmedabad.
The minister said that detailed planning is currently underway across 23 ministries to ensure that the government is able to successfully complete the CWG in 2030.
“Similar coordination will be done if we get the Olympics in 2036. Central government will provide all the support the host city would need, but ultimately the host city is the identity of the games and most of the work will be done by local government,” he said.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
13 Apr 2026 18:12 IST
