📋 Group Discussion (GD) Analysis Guide: Can Hosting the Commonwealth Games Benefit India?

🌐 Introduction

Hosting international events like the Commonwealth Games (CWG) symbolizes a nation’s ambition to showcase its global stature while spurring domestic development. For India, a rising economy, such an event holds significant implications in sports, economy, and global diplomacy.

Originating in 1930, the Commonwealth Games bring together athletes from member countries of the Commonwealth of Nations. India has hosted it once before, in 2010, in Delhi. Despite logistical issues, the event left a lasting impression on India’s sports infrastructure.

📊 Quick Facts and Key Statistics

🌍 Stakeholders and Their Roles

• 🏛️ Government: Financial investments, policy-making, and ensuring smooth execution.
• 🏆 Sports Federations: Managing sports events, athlete selection, and promotions.
• 🏢 Private Sector: Sponsorships, infrastructure development, and service provisions.
• 👥 Local Communities: Engagement as beneficiaries of infrastructure and economic upliftment.
• 📺 Media: Promoting the event, highlighting success stories, and addressing issues.

🏆 Achievements and Challenges

✨ Achievements

• 🏗️ Infrastructure Development: Improved stadia, transport systems, and urban amenities in host cities.
• 🎯 Sports Promotion: Improved facilities and attention to athletes raised India’s sports profile globally.
• 📈 Economic Stimulus: Boosted tourism, hospitality, and ancillary sectors.
• 🎭 Cultural Diplomacy: Positioned India as a capable and culturally rich host.

⚠️ Challenges

• 📉 Cost Overruns: 2010 CWG saw expenditure ballooning from ₹1,200 crore to ₹70,000 crore.
• 💵 Corruption Allegations: Tarnished India’s global reputation.
• 🌳 Environmental Concerns: Infrastructure projects often lead to deforestation and displacement.
• 🏟️ Post-Games Utilization: Many facilities from CWG 2010 remain underutilized or neglected.

💬 Structured Arguments for Discussion

• ✅ Supporting Stance: “Hosting the Commonwealth Games positions India as a global leader in sports and infrastructure while catalyzing economic development.”
• ❌ Opposing Stance: “The costs and risks, including corruption and environmental degradation, outweigh the benefits of hosting such events.”
• ⚖️ Balanced Perspective: “While hosting the CWG offers substantial benefits, it requires meticulous planning to avoid pitfalls such as cost overruns and underutilization.”

🎯 Effective Discussion Approaches

• 💡 Opening Approaches:
• “The 2010 CWG showcased India’s capacity to host large-scale events, yet the challenges offer critical learning points.”
• “With sports gaining prominence globally, hosting CWG could align with India’s sports and tourism ambitions.”
• 💡 Counter-Argument Handling:
• 📊 Present evidence of economic growth post-events in similar nations.
• 🛡️ Highlight strategies for combating cost overruns and ensuring transparency.

🔍 Strategic Analysis of Strengths and Weaknesses

• 💪 Strengths: Economic stimulus, global visibility, infrastructure upgrades.
• 📉 Weaknesses: Financial risks, corruption, resource diversion from essential services.
• 📈 Opportunities: Sports diplomacy, job creation, tourism.
• ⚠️ Threats: Environmental impact, underutilization of facilities, security risks.

🎓 Connecting with B-School Applications

• 📌 Real-World Applications: Infrastructure management, policy-making, and project financing for large-scale events.
• 💡 Sample Interview Questions:
• 🤔 “What lessons can India learn from hosting CWG 2010 for future events?”
• 🤔 “How can B-schools contribute to the efficient execution of such large-scale projects?”
• 📚 Insights for Students: Leveraging such events in operations, marketing, and logistics domains.