The centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030 looks sure to be awarded to Ahmedabad in India following an evaluation commission recommendation.
The executive board of Commonwealth Sport confirmed on Wednesday the city - also known as Amdavad in the Indian state of Gujarat - would be recommended to the full membership in November to host the Games 100 years after the first edition in Hamilton, Canada in 1930.
Ahmedabad, which hosted the 2023 Cricket World Cup final when Australia beat India, had been given the nod ahead of a rival bid from Nigerian city Abuja after their bids had been considered by the evaluation officials, Commonwealth Sport announced on Wednesday.
The commission's recommendation will be subject to final approval at Commonwealth Sport's General Assembly in Glasgow on November 26, and Ahmedabad is expected to be rubber-stamped there as the second Indian city to host the event after Delhi in 2010.
Both the Nigerian and Indian bids were praised by Commonwealth Sport for their "compelling" submissions, but the prospect of the Games going to Africa for the first time will have to wait.
Yet it may not be a long wait, with the executive board saying it is planning to develop a strategy for supporting and accelerating Nigeria's ambitions for hosting a future Games, including consideration for 2034.
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Africa had been in line to host the 2022 Games but Durban, in South Africa, was stripped of hosting rights for that edition in 2017 after the city failed to meet bid commitments. Those Games went to Birmingham in England instead.
If Ahmedabad is confirmed, it will be a boost for the Games, providing more stability after the turmoil caused when Victoria withdrew two years ago as hosts of the 2026 Games, citing escalating costs. Glasgow stepped in to save the day, and will host a pared-down event next summer.
Commonwealth Sport chief executive Katie Sadleir said: "Today's recommendation is strategically important for the future of the Commonwealth Sport movement.
"It builds on the platform that Glasgow 2026 will provide and sets a clear direction for the years ahead.
"The Centenary Games in 2030 offer an opportunity not just to celebrate 100 years of history, but to demonstrate how the Commonwealth Games can continue to evolve, creating meaningful impact for athletes, communities and nations across the Commonwealth."
For India, though, Ahmedabad earning the Commonwealth Games nod is seen as being just the start of India's grand ambition to stage the 2036 Olympics in the city.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had pledged in July to tackle doping and governance issues to strengthen its candidacy.
The country's IOC member Nita Ambani said in a statement: "India being recommended to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030 is a proud milestone in India's journey as a global sporting powerhouse.
"This moment marks another step forward towards our shared dream of bringing the Olympic Games to India."
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