Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Sunday inaugurated the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Narangpura, Ahmedabad.
Built at a cost of ₹825 crore, the world-class facility was dedicated to the nation as part of Gujarat’s push to strengthen sports infrastructure and advance its bid to host the 2036 Olympics.
The ceremony was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel, MoS Sports Harsh Sanghavi, Mayor Pratibha Jain, along with MPs, MLAs, officials, athletes and coaches.
Addressing the gathering, Shah said sports are the “soul of India” and highlighted reforms introduced under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including modern facilities, transparent selection, and enhanced training opportunities. Recalling Savarkar’s legacy, he said naming the complex after the revolutionary would inspire athletes with his courage and determination.
Shah pointed to Ahmedabad’s growing role as a sports hub, with the Narendra Modi Stadium, Sardar Patel Sports Enclave, and now the Veer Savarkar Complex. He noted that India’s sports budget has expanded from ₹1,643 crore a decade ago to ₹5,300 crore, while schemes like Khelo India have created wider opportunities.
He also highlighted India’s improved international performance: from 20 Olympic medals between 1947 and 2012 to 15 medals in the past eight years alone. In the Paralympics, the medal tally rose from 8 to 52, while the Deaflympics count increased from 2 to 22. Shah announced that Ahmedabad would host international police and fire personnel competitions in 2029, and expressed confidence about securing the 2030 Commonwealth Games and 2036 Olympics.
Chief Minister Patel described the complex as the beginning of a “new era” for sports in Gujarat, noting the state’s sports budget of ₹486 crore and 23 operational complexes across 21 districts. He also mentioned upcoming projects, including the 233-acre Sardar Patel Sports Enclave and a Para Athlete High-Performance Center.
Union Sports Minister Mandaviya hailed the facility as the country’s largest sports complex, saying it would support the Prime Minister’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat.” MoS Harsh Sanghavi added that the complex had already hosted the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship and would soon stage the Asian Aquatics Competition.
The Veer Savarkar Sports Complex houses an Aquatics Stadium, a Sports Center of Excellence, an Indoor Multi-Sports Arena, Outdoor Courts, a Community Sports Center, and a Fit India Zone, offering opportunities for professional training, fitness, yoga, and community engagement.
