India has big plans — and even bigger dreams — to host the 2036 Olympics. But before that, the country will look to prove its ability to do so, by hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games.

India has bid for Ahmedabad as the host city for the Games — with Nigeria being the only other contender. This comes 15 years after the 2010 Delhi Games, the largest multi-sport event India has ever hosted. On October 15, Commonwealth Sport endorsed India’s bid, making it all but certain that the CWG will be held in Ahmedabad.

But India’s lofty ambitions raise plenty of questions. Do mega sporting events really benefit India, or do they simply strain public resources? And can we pull it off this time — without the scandals, overruns, and chaos that marred Delhi 2010?

Guest: Sharda Ugra, veteran sports journalist

Host: Reuben Joe Joseph

Produced and edited by Jude Francis Weston

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