The 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games’ King’s Baton Relay was showcased in New Delhi, India on Tuesday more than four months after it was unveiled in Nigeria.
The Baton was unveiled in presence of Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, IOA president PT Usha and British High Commissioner Lindy Cameron.
The three dignitaries along with table tennis star Sharath Kamal added their brush strokes in the Baton which was put on display at the DLF Avenue Saket Mall.
After travelling through 35 CWG nations, the baton started its journey in India and its next stop will be Ahmedabad — the city that has been recommended by CWG executive committee to host the 2030 CWG.
For the first time ever, every Commonwealth nation and territory will receive their own Baton for their celebrations and they can customise and decorate it to represent their culture. The Baton for the India leg has been designed by visual artist Aaquib Wani, who has crafted the three sides of the baton depicting India’s flora, fauna, and scripts, representing the beautiful diversity of the country.
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.
The King’s Baton Relay is a relay around the world held prior to the beginning of the Commonwealth Games. The baton carries a message from the Head of the Commonwealth, currently King Charles III. The relay traditionally begins at Buckingham Palace in London, where the King entrusts the baton to the first relay runner. At the opening ceremony of the Games, the final relay runner hands the torch back to the King or his representative, who reads the message aloud to officially open the Games. The King’s Baton Relay is similar to the Olympic Torch Relay.
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