After Glasgow, All Eyes Turn to Ahmedabad for Commonwealth Games 2030

The Commonwealth Games officially entered a new chapter as Glasgow handed over the Games flag and ceremonial baton to India, marking the start of the countdown to the centenary Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad in 2030.

The symbolic handover, held during a glittering closing ceremony, signalled the end of 11 days of competition in Scotland and the beginning of India's preparations to host the Games for the second time after New Delhi 2010. With Ahmedabad set to stage the historic 100th edition, India will become only the second country after Australia to host the Commonwealth Games more than once.

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha and Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi received the Commonwealth Games flag and baton on behalf of India during the official ceremony.

The evening opened with a celebration of Scotland's cultural heritage before seamlessly transitioning into a vibrant showcase of India's traditions, music and dance. One of the standout moments was an Indo-Scottish cultural jugalbandi, symbolising the passing of the Games from Glasgow to Ahmedabad.

India also ended its Glasgow campaign on a high, finishing fourth on the medals table with 39 medals, including 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze.

While the overall tally was lower than the 61 medals won at Birmingham 2022, the comparison is misleading. Thirty medals from Birmingham came in sports that were not part of the Glasgow programme. Despite sending a much smaller contingent of 122 athletes, compared with 210 four years ago, India retained fourth place and produced one of its most efficient campaigns, with 38 athletes returning home with medals. Gulveer Singh emerged as the country's only double medallist.

With the closing ceremony over and the baton now in Indian hands, attention shifts from Glasgow to Ahmedabad, where the Commonwealth Games will celebrate their centenary in 2030.

(With inputs from ANI)