Commonwealth Sport has turned its attention to the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Amdavad, Gujarat, with a kite-flying celebration in Glasgow…reports Asian Lite News Desk
Commonwealth Sport has officially shifted its focus to the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Amdavad, Gujarat, with a kite-flying celebration in Glasgow featuring athletes, sports officials and members of the local Indian community.
Scotland’s Commonwealth Games gold medallist Reuben Ward and India’s long jump silver medallist Murali Sreeshankar joined representatives of Commonwealth Sport and the Commonwealth Games Association of India to mark the beginning of the journey towards the centenary edition of the Games in 2030.
Inspired by Amdavad’s internationally renowned kite festival, around 30 children from the Glasgow Indians Association flew kites bearing the Scottish and Indian flags through the city streets in a symbolic celebration of the next host nation.
The event took place along John Street, home to Glasgow’s City Chambers, which featured prominently during the opening ceremony of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. The kite display drew inspiration from Gujarat’s annual kite festival, one of the state’s largest cultural celebrations, where thousands of colourful kites fill the skies each year.
Joining the athletes and children were Commonwealth Sport President Dr Donald Rukare, Chief Executive Katie Sadleir, Commonwealth Games Association of India President Dr P.T. Usha, Chief Executive Raghuram Iyer and Commonwealth Games Scotland Chief Executive Jon Doig.
Ward, one of Scotland’s standout performers at Glasgow 2026, reflected on the significance of the Games and expressed his ambition to compete again in India.
“Glasgow 2026 and the Commonwealth Games will forever have a special place in my heart – I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I have without everyone who came out to support me. I hope to be there in India in four years, representing Team Scotland again,” he said.
Sreeshankar said India was looking forward to welcoming athletes from across the Commonwealth for the centenary Games.
“It’s exciting to see the Games starting their journey to my home country – we can’t wait to welcome the world in 2030. Being in Glasgow, I’ve seen how the local community gets behind the Games and its athletes. This feels like a new era for the Games now, and I know it will be very special in Amdavad,” he said.
Commonwealth Sport President Dr Donald Rukare said the event marked the beginning of preparations for the next major milestones on the sporting calendar.
“This moment looks ahead to Amdavad 2030 and our ambition to build a long-lasting legacy for the Commonwealth Games. With Amdavad and the Malta 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games on the horizon, the Movement has a very bright future,” he said.
Commonwealth Games Association of India President Dr P.T. Usha said the kite-flying event reflected the spirit with which India hopes to welcome athletes and visitors in 2030.
“Seeing children in Glasgow flying kites for India is a special moment for all of us. It’s a small taste of the welcome Amdavad will give the Commonwealth in 2030, and we can’t wait to build on everything Glasgow 2026 has done to bring people together through sport,” she said.
The kite-flying celebration marked the symbolic transition from Glasgow 2026 to Amdavad 2030, as organisers begin preparations for the Commonwealth Games’ centenary edition.
