If sports is something you are passionate about and love watching, then you must’ve heard of the Commonwealth Games or CWG. The Commonwealth Games previously known as the British Empire Games is a multi-sport international event. Furthermore, it only includes nations part of the Commonwealth i.e. nations that have had some link with the British Empire. In this article, we will look at the history of the CWG, the sports included, the ceremonies, and also look at information about Commonwealth Games India as well as the next CWG.
Start Of The Commonwealth Games
To begin with, in the year 1891 John Astley Cooper first proposed the concept of a sporting competition involving the members of the British Empire. Also, he wrote a letter published in ‘The Times’ regarding the same concept that would be held every 4 years. Moreover, his main intention through this event was to increase goodwill among the members of the British Empire.
Then in 1911, London’s Crystal Palace hosted the Festival of the Empire. This was carried out since it was the celebration of George V’s coronation. Furthermore, as part of the celebration, an inter-empire sports event took place. Canada, Australia, South Africa as well as the United Kingdom had their respective teams participate in the various events. Furthermore, Canada emerged victorious in the first championship. Then down the years, the British Empire Games came along which eventually turned into the Commonwealth Games as we now know it. Moreover, the first games to bear the name ‘Commonwealth Games’ took place in the year 1978.
In the beginning, the British Empire Games initially started with 11 countries participating. As it grew and evolved into the Commonwealth Games, it now has 71 Commonwealth nations participating in it and has turned into one of the major sports events in the world.
Paraplegic Games
Earlier, apart from the Commonwealth Games, another international multi-sports event took place, which was the Commonwealth Paraplegic Games. Moreover, these games were meant for commonwealth athletes that had some sort of disability like spinal injury or polio. The Paraplegic Games was first held during the year 1962. Later, in the year 1994, the disabled athletes were included as a part of the Commonwealth Games in Victoria, British Columbia. Then, in the year 2002, they were included as fully participating members of their national squads.
CWG Winter Games
The Winter Games were introduced to balance out the summer sports and winter sport. However, the Winter Games were last held in the year 1966 after which it was discontinued.
Commonwealth Youth Games
The Commonwealth Youth Games began as a platform for the youth to showcase their talents. Furthermore, the age of the athletes was between 14 to 18 years. Moreover, this event takes place simultaneously with the current format of the Commonwealth Games. It was first held during the year 2000 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Commonwealth Games Federation
To begin with, the Commonwealth Games Federation is the main body in charge of the organization, direction, and control of the Commonwealth Games. The CGF headquarters are located at the Commonwealth House in London. Furthermore, the commonwealth house is also home to the Royal Commonwealth Society as well as the Commonwealth Local Government Forum.
The CGF is made up of the following 3 major elements:
- International Federations (IFs). They are the governing bodies whose main responsibility is to supervise a sport at an international level.
- Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs). The CGA’s main responsibility is to represent and regulate the Commonwealth Games Movement within each country. There are currently 70 CGAs recognized by the CGF.
- Organizing Committees for the Commonwealth Games (OCCWGs), the temporary committees responsible for the organization of each Commonwealth Games.
Additionally, click here to read more about the CWG Federation. Also, click here to read more about the International Federations.
Members Of The Commonwealth Games
The following are the members of the CWG according to their specific regions:
Africa
- Botswana
- Cameroon
- The Gambia
- Ghana
- Kenya
- Kingdom of eSwatini
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nigeria
- Rwanda
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- South Africa
- Uganda
- United Republic of Tanzania
- Zambia
Asia
- Bangladesh
- Brunei Darussalam
- India
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Pakistan
- Singapore
- Sri Lanka
Caribbean and Americas
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- Saint Lucia
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Vincent and The Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
Europe
- Cyprus
- Malta
- United Kingdom
Pacific
- Australia
- Fiji
- Kiribati
- Nauru
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- Samoa
- Solomon Islands
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
List Of CWG Sports
| Sport (start date) | Body |
|---|---|
| Diving (since 1930) Swimming (since 1930) | FINA and IPC |
| Mountain biking (since 2002) Road cycling (since 1938) Track cycling (since 1934) | UCI |
| Artistic (since 1978) Rhythmic (since 1978) | FIG |
| Athletics 9since 1930) | IAAF and IPC |
| Badminton (since 1966) | BWF |
| Basketball (since 2006) | FIBA |
| Beach volleyball (since 2018) | FIVB |
| Boxing (since 1930) | AIBA |
| Field hockey (since 1998) | FIH |
| Judo (since 1990) | IJF |
| Lawn bowls (since 1930) | PBA |
| Netball (since 1998) | INF |
| Powerlifting (since 2002) | IPC |
| Rugby sevens (since 1998) | WR |
| Shooting (since 1966) | ISSF |
| Squash (since 1998) | WSF |
| Table tennis (since 2002) | ITTF |
| Ten-pin bowling (since 1998) | WBO |
| Triathlon (since 2002) | ITU |
| Weightlifting (since 1950) | IWF |
| Wrestling (since 1930) | UWW |
Queen’s Baton Relay
The relay takes place before CWG starts. It is called the Queen’s Baton Relay. Furthermore, the baton carries a message from the Queen, the Head of the Commonwealth. By tradition, the relay begins from London’s Buckingham Palace as part of the CWG festivities. Firstly the Queen hands over the baton to the first runner. Then at the opening ceremony of the CWG, the final runner hands the baton back to the Queen or her representative. Lastly, the message is read aloud and the Games are declared open.
The concept of the relay was introduced during the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games held in Cardiff. Furthermore, this tradition is similar to the lighting of the torch during the Olympics.
Ceremonies Of The Commonwealth Games
Similar to the Olympics the CWG has 3 ceremonies, they are as follows:
Opening Ceremony
To begin with, this ceremony occurs before the start of any event of the CWG. Firstly, the host nation’s flag is hoisted and their national anthem is performed. Furthermore, three other flags are hoisted during the opening ceremony i.e. the previous host’s flag, the next host’s flag, and the CGF flag. Then artistic displays and performances are carried out by the host nation, all of which represent its culture. After that, the athletes make way to the stadium similar to the Olympics. Finally, the final runner hands the baton to the Queen or her representative and the games begin.
Closing Ceremony
After all the events are concluded the closing ceremony begins. Firstly, the flag bearers and athletes make way to the stadium in no particular order. Then the president of the CGF, as well as the organizing committee, give their closing speeches. After that, the mayor of the next hosting city takes the podium and briefly addresses the event. Then the next hosting nation performs artistic displays representing its culture. Lastly, the president of the CGF hands out the David Dixon Award, This award is given out to the athlete that has performed exceptionally well for his/her nation and stands out from the rest.
Medal Presentation
Medals are presented after the conclusion of each event. The winning athletes make way to the three-tiered podium and receive their medals. The flags of all three winners are hoisted during the presentation. Lastly, the gold medalist’s national anthem is played.
CWG In India
India has hosted the Commonwealth games once till date. In the year 2010, the multi-sports international event, the Commonwealth Games was held in the capital city of India, Delhi. Furthermore, the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India saw a massive 4352 athletes from 71 nations take part. Moreover, this marked the largest international multi-sport event to be held in Delhi. Furthermore, the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India was the first time India hosted the event. Additionally, it was the second time the event was hosted in Asia. Furthermore, India displayed its best-ever performance at the 2010 Commonwealth Games held in India, finishing second with Australia leading the final tally.
Additionally, click here to read about the ICC Cricket World Cup.
FAQs Regarding Commonwealth Games
The CGF selected India to host the CWG in 2010. Furthermore, Delhi hosted the games. It is the only time India hosted the event.
Birginham, England will host the next the CWG in the year 2022.
The next Commonwealth Games will tentatively be held during the last week of July till the first week of August.
Queen Elizabeth the second is the current head of the Commonwealth and is usually the one who declares the games open.
Editor’s Note | Commonwealth Games
In conclusion, the CWG has truly portrayed what it stands for. The main reason to bring about goodwill among nations of the British Empire is clearly portrayed through the CWG. Furthermore, it has brought a huge platform for athletes to showcase their talent. Moreover, it has united all the nations of the Empire through friendly-competition and sports. Furthermore, the next CWG to be held in Birmingham in 2022, will probably be a great relief for all sports lovers because they will most probably be able to cheers their nations on right from the stadiums. Just like the Olympics, and World Cups, the CWG is a major showcase of talent and an amazing way to bring about unity among the people.
