India submit Expression of Interest to host 2038 Asian Games
India has submitted its EOI to host the 2038 Asian Games, with Ahmedabad emerging as a key contender, as the country pushes to host multiple global sporting events including the 2036 Olympics.
India has reportedly submitted its expression of interest to host the 2038 Asian Games, marking another step in its aggressive push to position itself as a global hub for multi-sport events.
According to a report by PTI, the proposal was submitted by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), which discussed the development during its executive board meeting in Sanya on April 21, on the sidelines of the Asian Beach Games.
IOA CEO Raghuram Iyer confirmed the move, while underlining that the process is still at a preliminary stage. “We have submitted an EOI and it was discussed by the OCA in its executive board meeting,” he said, adding that further guidance from the continental body is awaited.
Ahmedabad tipped as strong contender
While no official host city has been named, Ahmedabad is reportedly expected to be a strong contender. The city has already been confirmed as the host of the 2030 Commonwealth Games after India’s bid received approval from delegates of 74 Commonwealth nations and territories at the General Assembly in Glasgow.
The event will mark India’s first major global multi-sport hosting assignment since the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
Ahmedabad also anchors India’s ambitious bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, highlighting a clear strategy to cluster mega sporting events and build long-term infrastructure.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently reiterated the government’s intent to host the Olympics, stating that India is preparing “with full strength” for a 2036 bid. Addressing the Senior National Volleyball Championship in January, earlier this year, he stressed that hosting such events would provide greater opportunities for Indian athletes.
He also highlighted initiatives such as the Khelo India programme, which has helped young athletes rise to the national stage, and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which focuses on elite athlete development through funding and international exposure.
Competition builds as decision timeline emerges
India is likely to face competition from multiple countries. South Korea had expressed interest as early as 2021 with a joint bid from Gwangju and Daegu, while Mongolia has also reportedly shown intent, though clarity on a formal submission is awaited.
The OCA is expected to finalise the host city for the 2038 Asian Games around 2028. Meanwhile, upcoming editions have already been awarded — Riyadh will host in 2030, Doha in 2034, and Aichi-Nagoya in 2026.
India last hosted the Asian Games in 1982 in New Delhi, which had also staged the inaugural edition in 1951. The scale of the Games has grown significantly since then, now featuring over 10,000 athletes from 45 nations.
The most recent edition in Hangzhou in 2023 saw more than 11,000 athletes competing across 40 sports. India’s bid for 2038, coupled with its confirmed and prospective hosting plans, signals a broader ambition — not just to stage global events, but to embed itself as a regular destination on the international sporting calendar.