World Class Team of Advisers for C'wealth Games 2018 Bid

The Hambantota 2018 Commonwealth Games Candidate City Organising Committee, under the chairmanship of Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, has recently announced the appointment of an international team of advisers to help Sri Lanka develop its bid to host the 2018 Games.

The team is led by pmplegacy, the global sporting events consultancy and includes Fast Track, Bell Pottinger, Populous and PwC, together with a number of specialist advisers in transport planning, sustainability, security, brand and communications and cost consultancy.

Pmplegacy, Fast Track and Bell Pottinger are all part of Chime Communications plc, a leading marketing services group listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Chairman Cabraal said, "The appointment of this advisory team reinforces how important the 2018 bid is to Sri Lanka. We are also in the final stages of appointing our 2018 Bid Co-senior executive team and bringing together the many local stakeholders to be involved in the bid process.

I am delighted that we have been able to appoint the pmplegacy team - they bring a wealth of relevant event bidding and planning experience. We have a unique and compelling story to tell and our bid will act as an important catalyst in the Island's post conflict and tsunami reconstruction and in raising Sri Lanka's profile on the world stage."

Peter Mann, Chairman of pmplegacy said, "This appointment demonstrates Hambantota's commitment to submit a world class bid to the Commonwealth Games Federation and to showcase the Island's natural beauty, charm and the passion for sports of its 20 million inhabitants.

Sri Lanka is a big island with big aspirations and our job is to help turn these aspirations into reality. Hambantota's strategic location will help to ensure that it becomes one of the most vibrant cities in Southern Asia with a sporting, educational and tourism hub at its heart. We look forward to working with the Organising Committee over the next 12 months to help create a successful bid for the 2018 Games".