Former India cricket captain Rahul Dravid and Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal are set to take on important administrative responsibilities as India prepares to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad. The Union Sports Ministry has nominated the two sporting legends as athlete representatives in the proposed Organising Committee (OC), bringing valuable sporting experience into the planning of one of India’s biggest upcoming international sporting events.

The nominations mark an important step towards establishing the administrative structure for the Ahmedabad Commonwealth Games 2030. The organising body is expected to have 12 to 15 members, with Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi likely to lead the committee. The inclusion of former athletes is also expected to ensure that the sporting community has a voice in decisions concerning the event.

According to a Sports Ministry source quoted by PTI, Dravid and Nehwal have been nominated to represent the sporting fraternity. The ministry has also recommended two prominent names from the private sector, Jinal Mehta and Ananya Birla, for the proposed committee.

Rahul Dravid and Saina Nehwal bring sporting experience

Rahul Dravid is among the most respected figures in Indian cricket. Known for his discipline, leadership and consistency during his playing career, the former India captain has continued to contribute to Indian cricket after retirement.

Dravid’s most recent major achievement as a coach came in 2024, when he guided the Indian men’s cricket team to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title. India defeated South Africa in the final to lift the trophy, ending an 11-year wait for an ICC senior men’s title.

His experience extends beyond international cricket. Dravid has also been associated with initiatives supporting young athletes and the development of Olympic sports in India. His association with the GoSports Foundation and its athlete mentorship initiatives reflects his involvement in the wider sporting ecosystem.

Saina Nehwal, meanwhile, has made a significant contribution to Indian badminton. She created history at the 2012 London Olympics by winning a bronze medal in women’s singles, becoming the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal.

Her achievements also include Commonwealth Games success. Nehwal won the women’s singles gold medal at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games and repeated the feat at the 2018 Gold Coast edition. She retired from professional badminton and subsequently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2020.

Having experienced international sporting competitions from an athlete’s perspective, both Dravid and Nehwal could bring valuable insights into the planning and delivery of the 2030 Games.

Jinal Mehta and Ananya Birla among private-sector nominees

Apart from the two sporting personalities, the proposed organising committee will also include representatives from the corporate world.

Jinal Mehta, who heads Torrent Pharmaceuticals and serves as chairman of IPL franchise Gujarat Titans, has been recommended as one of the private-sector representatives.

Ananya Birla, an entrepreneur and businesswoman associated with the consortium that owns Royal Challengers Bengaluru, is the other recommendation.

Their proposed inclusion reflects the intention to bring corporate expertise into the organisation and management of the international event.

Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, who also holds the sports portfolio, is expected to become the chairman of the organising committee. Representatives from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Commonwealth Games Association of India will also be part of the structure.

Lt. Gen. Harpal Singh is expected to represent the Commonwealth Games Association of India.

Ahmedabad 2030 Commonwealth Games: Sports, budget and preparations

Ahmedabad will host the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games in October 2030. The event will mark 100 years since the first Commonwealth Games were held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930.

India is planning to include between 15 and 17 sporting disciplines in the Ahmedabad edition. This would represent a significant expansion compared with the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, which featured only 10 sports.

Popular disciplines such as hockey, wrestling and cricket were absent from the Glasgow programme. Their potential inclusion in Ahmedabad would be a major attraction for Indian sports fans, although the final list of events will depend on the decisions taken by the organisers and Commonwealth Sport.

The operational expenditure for the Ahmedabad Games is estimated to be between Rs 3,000 crore and Rs 5,000 crore. The Sports Ministry has also committed a grant-in-aid of Rs 2,000 crore, which will be released as and when the Gujarat government raises its requirements.

These figures do not include the separate capital expenditure required for infrastructure development. Facilities being developed for wider public use will be treated separately from the operational expenses of conducting the Games.

The organising committee is expected to operate as a not-for-profit company, following a model used during the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. The structure is intended to encourage professional management and greater financial accountability.

Lessons from the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games

The upcoming Ahmedabad edition will also carry the responsibility of restoring confidence in India’s ability to organise a major multi-sport event.

The 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi attracted international attention but faced serious criticism over organisational problems, infrastructure delays and corruption allegations. The organising committee, which was headed by then Indian Olympic Association chief Suresh Kalmadi, came under intense scrutiny.

The proposed corporate-style structure for Ahmedabad is expected to provide a different approach, with representatives from sports, government and the private sector working together.

With Rahul Dravid and Saina Nehwal among the nominated athlete representatives, the organising committee will have access to the experience of two individuals who understand the demands of competing at the highest level.

The formal establishment of the committee and its responsibilities will be important milestones as preparations gather pace.

India now has an opportunity to deliver a memorable centenary Commonwealth Games and strengthen its position as a destination for major international sporting events.

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