India's 2026 CWG medal haul reflects Modi's eightfold sports budget boost: Harsh Sanghavi
Synopsis
Gujarat Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi tied India's 2026 CWG medal haul directly to PM Modi's eightfold hike in the national sports budget — and used the Glasgow platform to pitch Ahmedabad as the world-class host city for the 2030 centenary edition of the Games.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi credited PM Narendra Modi for India's strong showing at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow .
The Centre has increased India's sports budget eightfold , according to Sanghavi.
Ahmedabad is building world-class, international-grade sporting infrastructure to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games — the centenary edition.
Sanghavi said the new facilities will be open to athletes from across India, not limited to Gujarat .
India achieved one of its best-ever performances across multiple disciplines at the Glasgow 2026 Games.
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on 2 August credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's sustained focus on sports development for India's strong medal-winning campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, noting that the Centre had increased the national sports budget eightfold to build a stronger sporting ecosystem across the country.
Sanghavi Credits Modi's Budget Push
'I would like to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji. On one hand, the sons and daughters of our country were winning medal after medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. On the other, Prime Minister Modi increased the budget for sportspersons eightfold. This clearly shows his commitment,' Sanghavi said.
The Deputy Chief Minister made these remarks on the sidelines of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, where India achieved one of its best-ever performances across multiple disciplines. His comments came as the Games were drawing to a close, with the Indian contingent having delivered an outstanding campaign.
Ahmedabad Gears Up for 2030 Commonwealth Games
Sanghavi also highlighted the rapid pace of infrastructure development underway in Ahmedabad, which is set to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games — the centenary edition of the multi-sport event. He asserted that the world-class venues and high-performance training facilities being built will serve athletes from across India, not just Gujarat.
'Ahmedabad is fully preparing world-class, international-grade sporting infrastructure to fulfil the dreams of all the youth of India. This infrastructure will not remain limited to Ahmedabad or Gujarat. Every young athlete from across the country can consider Ahmedabad as their home to achieve their dreams,' he said.
The Gujarat government is positioning Ahmedabad as a premier sporting destination, with venues designed to meet international standards and leave a lasting legacy beyond the Games themselves.
Closing Ceremony to Showcase Indian Culture
As the Glasgow 2026 Games neared their conclusion, Sanghavi expressed confidence that the closing ceremony would spotlight India's rich cultural heritage alongside its athletes' achievements.
'The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games closing ceremony will begin shortly. It will be a historic event. The Indian team is fully prepared, and the world will see our culture during the closing ceremony today. Our athletes have performed excellently in Glasgow over the past few days,' he said.
Legacy Beyond the Games
The infrastructure being developed in Ahmedabad for 2030 is intended to provide enduring benefits for Indian sport — creating high-performance training centres and competition venues that athletes can use long after the Games conclude. This comes amid a broader push by the Centre to elevate India's standing in global sport, with the eightfold budget increase representing one of the most significant financial commitments to athletics in recent memory.
Point of View
And India's medal count has historically fluctuated with the list of participating nations and sports on offer. The 2030 Games infrastructure pitch is significant, but legacy outcomes for Indian athletes will depend on whether these venues remain accessible and funded after the event — a challenge past host cities have struggled to meet.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Harsh Sanghavi say about India's 2026 CWG performance?
Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said India's medal-winning campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow reflected PM Modi's commitment to sports, citing an eightfold increase in the national sports budget under the current government.
How much has India's sports budget increased under PM Modi?
According to Harsh Sanghavi, the Centre has increased the sports budget eightfold. He made this claim while speaking during the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, attributing India's strong athletic performance to this financial commitment.
Where will the 2030 Commonwealth Games be held?
The 2030 Commonwealth Games will be hosted in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. It will be the centenary edition of the multi-sport event, and the Gujarat government is developing world-class venues and high-performance training facilities for it.
Will Ahmedabad's 2030 CWG infrastructure benefit athletes beyond Gujarat?
Yes, according to Sanghavi, the infrastructure being built in Ahmedabad is intended for athletes from across India, not just Gujarat. He described the city as a potential training and competition home for every young athlete in the country.
What did Sanghavi say about the Glasgow 2026 closing ceremony?
Sanghavi expressed confidence that the closing ceremony would be a historic event showcasing India's rich cultural heritage, adding that the Indian team had performed excellently throughout the Games.
