Amit Shah Inaugurates Rs.825 Crore Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad | Gujarat –— In a landmark moment for Indian sports, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex at Narangpura, Ahmedabad, dedicating the ₹825 crore world-class facility to the nation. Positioned as one of India’s most advanced sports hubs, the complex is designed to host both national and international-level competitions, strengthening India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics.

Calling sports “the soul of India,” Amit Shah emphasized that the country, with its rich sporting heritage and youngest population in the world, is destined to excel globally. “Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the sports sector has witnessed revolutionary reforms—from world-class infrastructure and transparent selections to enhanced international exposure for athletes,” Shah said.

The new facility has already hosted two major events, including the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship, even before its formal inauguration. Sports federations and international athletes have described it as “truly world-class.” Highlighting its namesake, Shah noted that freedom fighter Veer Savarkar, after whom the complex is named, was himself a skilled swimmer known for his daring escape from the British.

Shah talked about India’s rising performance in global competitions. “From 1947 to 2012, India won 20 Olympic medals. In the past eight years alone, our athletes have brought home 15 Olympic medals, 52 Paralympic medals, and 22 Deaflympics medals. This shows the transformative impact of our sports policies,” he added. He also confirmed Ahmedabad’s preparedness to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and expressed confidence in India’s capability to host the 2036 Olympics.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, speaking at the event, lauded the new facility as a milestone in Gujarat’s sporting journey. “The Sports Governance Bill 2025 and the National Anti-Doping Amendment Bill 2025 mark a turning point in athlete welfare. By following the motto ‘Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi’, the Prime Minister has modernized India’s ancient sports heritage,” he said. Patel added that Gujarat now boasts 23 operational sports complexes across 21 districts, along with the upcoming Sardar Patel Sports Enclave and Para Athlete High-Performance Center.

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya described the inauguration as a proud moment for India. “Under Prime Minister Modi’s vision, a developed and prosperous India is taking shape, and sports are at the heart of this progress. The National Sports Policy is building a robust ecosystem that will help India realize its dream of becoming a global sporting powerhouse,” he said.

Minister of State for Sports Harsh Sanghavi praised Amit Shah’s personal involvement in ensuring the timely completion of the project. He highlighted that the sports complex will also host the upcoming Asian Aquatics Competition, featuring over 1,200 athletes.

Spread across 21 acres, the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex features an Aquatics Stadium, Sports Center of Excellence, Multi-Sports Arena, Community Sports Center, Outdoor Courts, and a Fit India Zone. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, the facility is set to inspire India’s athletes to achieve new heights.

“This complex will not only host events but will also ignite the dreams of countless young athletes who aspire to bring glory to India,” Shah said.