More than four months after being showcased in Nigeria, the King’s Baton Relay arrived in New Delhi, India on Tuesday in its journey across the Commonwealth nations as part of the ceremonial process of the 2026 Games in Glasgow.
After being displayed in the national capital for two days, the Baton will head to Ahmedabad.
The King’s Baton Relay unveiling was done in the presence of Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya; Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India and PT Usha, the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
The event would also see the presence of two-time CWG gold medallist Yogeshwar Dutt, 13-time CWG medallist Achanta Sharath Kamal and 10-time CWG medallist Gagan Narang, among others.
The Baton has been designed by Aaquib Wani, an Indian visual artist and will be on display at the DLF Avenue Saket mall on 12-13 November. It will then proceed to Ahmedabad on November 14 where a big event is on the cards spanning three days (November 15-17).
Ahmedabad is the sole contender to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games with the Executive Board of Commonwealth Sport also recommending its intention to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games. The final decision over the host city will take place at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow on November 26.
India had last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2010 with New Delhi as the host city.
The King’s Baton Relay for the 2026 Commonwealth Games has already reached Nigeria, with an official ceremony held in Abuja in early July 2025. The baton’s visit was marked by a symbolic reception and various cultural and environmental activities as part of its tour across the Commonwealth.
The King’s Baton was received in Abuja by a delegation including the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented at the ceremony by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.
The baton’s visit included events that celebrated Nigerian culture and its commitment to the ideals of the Commonwealth Games, as well as promoting the “Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastic Campaign”.
As a new initiative, each nation is customizing its baton to showcase its unique heritage. Nigeria’s baton was decorated with symbols like Zuma Rock, Olumo Rock, and Ogbunike Caves.
Glasgow will host the Commonwealth Games next year, second year running that the competition will stay in Britain. The 2022 Games were hosted by Birmingham. Initially the Games were to be held in Victoria, Australia before the government pulled out owing to rising costs.
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