Exclusive | Delhi 2010 lesson: Not-for-profit company to plan Ahmedabad 2030 Commonwealth Games

Speaking to The Indian Express, Ashwini Kumar, Principal Secretary, Department of Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities, who attended the Glasgow meeting with Sanghavi and IOA President PT Usha, said: “The details for the Organising Committee to be constituted as a not-for-profit company for CWG 2030 are being worked out and will be announced soon. We have framed a system. We know that we have less than five years, we have planned what we are supposed to do in six months to be done in one month, roles and responsibilities will be handed over soon.”

Although the Host Country contract allows six months to constitute the OC, preparatory meetings have already begun to fast-track the process.

The proposed OC will have around 15 directors, including senior representatives of Commonwealth Games Association (CGA) India; the Paralympic Committee of India, Commonwealth Sport; the Centre; the state government, and athlete and para-athlete members.

A senior government official underlined the emphasis on accountability: “Approval and formalities have been done. We have clarity who will be the chairman, vice chairman, and members. We have also put in a clause that this company will cease to exist after March 31, 2032. It has to be dissolved or can be merged with another company so that the bill payments, litigations, audit objections can be cleared.”

The shift to a Section 8 not-for-profit company is seen as a stronger alternative to the “society” model used for Delhi 2010.

Officials point out that this enforces a more rigorous governance framework, including mandatory project, audit, and HR committees for “monitoring, control and supervision.”

With an empowered Board of Directors and a CEO, the structure aims to ensure stronger compliance and “fast and quick decision making.” Another advantage is the ability of a Section 8 company to raise funds from the market while ensuring that all earnings are reinvested for the promotion of the Games, with no dividends to shareholders.

The rejection of the society model flows directly from the findings of inquiries into the 2010 Delhi CWG, which the 2011-12 CAG report described as the “largest ever multi-sport event to be held in India.” Officials say the 2010 structure was too “loose” and lacked a robust oversight mechanism.

In the aftermath, the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appointed a High-Level Committee headed by former CAG VK Shunglu to probe irregularities.

The committee concluded that “the implicit decision to conduct the games through private non-profit society was an ‘error of judgement’ compounded by the personality of its chairman for whom the difference between fact and fiction was academic.”

Incidentally, although several CBI FIRs were filed, most cases, including those investigated by the Enforcement Directorate, were eventually closed without convictions.

Another critical lesson was the delayed establishment of the OC. The HLC noted that the first three years were “squandered” compressing the time availability to four years. “In disregard of time lost, activity picked up belatedly, and reached a feverish pitch so near the games that most actions became ‘emergency’ decisions, compromising cost and quality.”

In contrast, officials say, the 2030 planning structure is far more streamlined. “The CWG 2010 execution involved entities like Government of India, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, Delhi Development Authority, New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). But the good thing here is that it is all about the state government. The proposals get cleared in less than a day,” Ashwini Kumar said.

The 2030 Games will be organised through a coordinated effort involving the Government of India, the Government of Gujarat and CGA India.