Tinubu Urges Commonwealth To Host 2030 Games In Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has again expressed Nigeria’s readiness to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, as the country hopes to make history as the first African nation to host the Games, according to PUNCH reports.

The 2030 Commonwealth Games will also mark the centenary celebration of the event, which was first held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930.

Commonwealth Sports president, Donald Rukare, confirmed earlier this month that Nigeria will face competition from India, as the two countries that have put in bids to host the 2030 edition of the Games, after they both met the August 31 deadline.

Nigeria had pencilled Abuja as the preferred host city, while Ahmadabad was put forward by India.

In a passionate message to the Commonwealth, Tinubu described Nigeria as the gateway to Africa and urged the body to recognise the continent’s central place in the future of the Games.

On Wednesday, Nigeria also delivered an advanced presentation to the Commonwealth Games Federation in London, United Kingdom, to propel the nation’s bid to host the centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games in 2030.

The Nigerian delegation, led by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, and Director General, Bukola Olopade, emphasised that the bid was an opportunity to foster a shared legacy that epitomises the Commonwealth spirit.

The delegates presented an all-inclusive bid, with focus areas such as sports excellence, arts, international cultural exchange, tapping into a budding creative economy, building a new shared commonwealth legacy, and shaping the future of the African youth.

Meanwhile, Nigeria also welcomed the Commonwealth Sport Bid Evaluation Committee to Abuja last Thursday, in a major step towards hosting the Games.

President Tinubu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, formally received the delegation at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.