Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Inaugurates Amdavad Experience Center in Glasgow
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi inaugurated the Amdavad Experience Center in Glasgow, Scotland. This centre aims to showcase the heritage, culture, and sporting ambitions of Ahmedabad, the host city for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. The inauguration took place on the sidelines of the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Sanghavi was joined by Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President P T Usha and other Scottish dignitaries at the opening of the centre. The exhibition highlights Ahmedabad’s history, its status as a Unesco World Heritage City, its sports infrastructure, hospitality, and Gujarati cuisine.
Showcasing Ahmedabad’s Culture and Sporting Ambitions
The Amdavad Experience Center is designed to offer visitors a preview of what athletes and spectators can expect in 2030. Sanghavi described Ahmedabad as a city where history and modernity coexist, offering a blend of rich history, vibrant culture, timeless heritage, world-class sports infrastructure, and Gujarati cuisine.
He invited people in and around Glasgow to visit the centre to experience the “colours, culture, flavours and spirit of Gujarat” before the Games arrive in Ahmedabad. A video shared by Sanghavi showcased garba and dandiya performances involving local residents and international participants, illustrating how Gujarat’s traditional dance forms can unite people.
The Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister also noted that an Indian delegation was present in Glasgow to study the operational aspects of organising a multi-sport event. Officials involved in the 2030 Games are gaining first-hand experience from the current edition as preparations for the centenary Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad intensify.
Preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games
Sanghavi emphasised Ahmedabad’s efforts to highlight its sporting infrastructure and cultural heritage in anticipation of hosting the centenary edition of the Games in 2030. He mentioned that sports federations and athletes from various countries would be hosted at the Amdavad Experience Center, providing an opportunity to showcase Ahmedabad’s culture, infrastructure, and facilities developed in Gujarat and India.
Interactive sessions have been organised at the centre, with representatives from international federations and athletes attending. Sanghavi expressed pride that the Commonwealth’s centenary event is scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad, India, and highlighted that the city is also set to host several other international tournaments.
Earlier this year in April, Sanghavi held discussions with officials from Commonwealth Sport during a high-level delegation’s visit to Gujarat. This visit was to review infrastructure plans and preparations following Ahmedabad’s confirmation as the host city. The delegation, led by Commonwealth Sport President Dr. Donald Rukare, met with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar and inspected proposed competition venues as part of the planning process.
The 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad are anticipated to strengthen India’s sporting infrastructure and support the country’s ambitions to host the 2036 Olympic Games.
Community Engagement and Athlete Excitement
In a related event, Reuben Ward, a gold medallist for Scotland at Glasgow 2026, and Murali Sreeshankar, a silver medallist from India, joined representatives from Commonwealth Sport and Team India to look ahead to the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Amdavad, Gujarat. Inspired by Amdavad’s annual kite festival, children from the Glasgow Indians Association flew kites decorated with Scottish and Indian flags along John Street in Glasgow city centre.
The two-day kite festival is a significant cultural event in Gujarat, attracting expert kite flyers, makers, and spectators globally. P T Usha, President of the Commonwealth Games Association of India, remarked on the special moment of children in Glasgow flying kites for India, calling it a small taste of the welcome Amdavad will extend in 2030.
Scottish gymnast Reuben Ward expressed his hope to represent Team Scotland in India in four years. Murali Sreeshankar, India’s long jump silver medallist, shared his excitement about the Games beginning their journey to his home country and noted how the local community in Glasgow supports the Games and its athletes. Dr Donald Rukare, Commonwealth Sport President, added that this moment looks ahead to Amdavad 2030 and the ambition to build a lasting legacy for the Commonwealth Games.
The Amdavad Experience Center was inaugurated on Thursday.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
