Gandhinagar: In a major administrative move linked to Gujarat’s expanding global sports ambitions, the Gujarat government has appointed Vikas Sahay, former Director General of Police and a retired 1989-batch IPS officer, as the Chief Executive Officer of the Ahmedabad Police and Fire Games Organization. The appointment comes barely three months after his retirement, reflecting the state government’s strong confidence in his administrative experience and leadership abilities.
According to a notification issued by the Home Department on March 30, 2026, the appointment will take effect from the day he formally assumes charge of office. The terms and service conditions for the assignment will be notified separately. The order was issued by Sanjeev Kumar in the name of the Governor.
The decision is being viewed as strategically significant because Gujarat is preparing to host major international sporting events in the coming years, beginning with the World Police and Fire Games in 2029 and potentially the Commonwealth Games in 2030.
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A Crucial Assignment Linked to Gujarat’s Global Sports Vision
The appointment places Vikas Sahay at the centre of preparations for one of the biggest international sporting events planned in Ahmedabad in the coming decade.
The state has already secured hosting rights for the World Police and Fire Games, which will be held in Ahmedabad in 2029. These games are being treated as a major international precursor ahead of Gujarat’s larger ambition to successfully host the Commonwealth Games in 2030.
Officials believe the success of these preparatory events will strongly influence India’s global sporting credibility and Ahmedabad’s ability to emerge as an international sports destination.
By selecting a recently retired DGP for this role, the government has signaled that it does not want to take any risks in organizational leadership for these global events.
Why Vikas Sahay Was Chosen
Vikas Sahay retired as Gujarat DGP on December 31, 2025, after a long career marked by high-profile administrative and policing assignments.
He originally became in-charge DGP in January 2023 and later took over as regular DGP in March 2023. Though scheduled to retire earlier, he received a six-month service extension in public interest before completing his tenure.
His appointment just three months after retirement suggests that the government sees his institutional memory, planning ability, and crisis-handling skills as critical for the successful execution of the upcoming games.
Ahmedabad’s Role Before the Commonwealth Games
Ahmedabad is rapidly being positioned as one of India’s most important global sports cities.
Before the Commonwealth Games ambitions take shape, the city will first host the 2029 World Police and Fire Games. These games are expected to bring large-scale international participation and infrastructure attention.
The Gujarat government is also working through the Union government to strengthen Ahmedabad’s bid for the 2036 Olympic Games, aligning with the larger national vision of making India a future Olympic host.
Hosting the Police and Fire Games is therefore not being treated as an isolated sporting event, but as part of a long-term global positioning strategy.
What Are the World Police and Fire Games?
The World Police and Fire Games are among the world’s largest multi-sport events for serving and retired police personnel, firefighters, correction officers, customs officers, and first responders.
Established in 1985, the games are held every two years and attract thousands of participants from across the globe.
The 2025 edition was held in Birmingham from June 27 to July 6, where more than 8,500 athletes from over 70 countries participated in 65 events across 35 venues.
Competitions ranged from traditional sports such as basketball and cycling to specialized first-responder events including:
• Toughest Competitor Alive
• Police Action Pistol
• Ultimate Firefighter
• Firefighter Challenge
It was during the Birmingham edition that Ahmedabad was officially announced as host city for the 2029 games.
Before Ahmedabad hosts the event, Perth will host the 2027 edition.
A Career Built on Institution Building and Policing Leadership
Vikas Sahay is widely respected not only for policing but also for institution building.
One of his most recognized contributions was his role in establishing Rashtriya Raksha University, formerly known as Raksha Shakti University, India’s first university dedicated to police, internal security, and criminal justice education.
He served as Director General of the institution from 2010 to 2016 and played a central role in shaping its academic and operational framework.
During his IPS career, he also held key district and city assignments, including:
• Superintendent of Police, Anand
• Superintendent of Police, Ahmedabad Rural
• Deputy Commissioner in Ahmedabad City
• Joint Commissioner in Surat
International Exposure and UN Experience
Apart from domestic policing assignments, Vikas Sahay also served with the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina during 1998–99.
This international exposure is considered particularly relevant for managing global sporting coordination involving international delegations, logistics, and security planning.
Background, Education and Family
Originally from Bihar, Vikas Sahay completed post-graduation in History and studied at University of Delhi through Kirori Mal College.
He belongs to a family deeply associated with public service.
His elder brother Vivek Sahay served in the West Bengal Police and briefly held the post of Director General of Police.
His younger brother Vikram Sahay is an Indian Revenue Service officer.
Why This Appointment Matters Beyond Sports
The CEO role is expected to involve:
• planning event administration
• coordinating multiple departments
• overseeing infrastructure readiness
• managing international participation
• ensuring institutional credibility
For Gujarat, this assignment is directly linked to demonstrating readiness for future global sporting events.
The government’s decision shows that it considers administrative precision just as important as sporting infrastructure.
With Ahmedabad aiming for larger international sporting visibility, Vikas Sahay’s leadership is likely to play a decisive role in how successfully the city delivers one of its most high-profile global events in the coming years.
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