Daegu - an example to the world
Commonwealth Games Evaluation Commission chairman Louis Martin and
the Chief Executive Mike Hooper, visited Sri Lanka in June 2011 to
assess Hambantota as a potential city to host the XXl Commonwealth Games
to be held in 2018.
Subsequent to this recent news item, my Korean friend Doo Won Lee,
based in Sri Lanka, elucidated me on how and to what extent Korean city
of Daegu, with a population of 2.5 million, prepared for the IAAF World
Championships at a cost around USD 2.4 billion - (cost reduction due to
the existing Stadium which has been already constructed for the 2002
FIFA World Cup).
This international single event is ranked only second to the FIFA
World Cup, which is expected to attract 2,000 athletes from 212
countries and territories for a nine day competition commencing on
August 27, 2011 with an anticipated return of 142 Billion USD
(infrastructure + financial effect after the games).
At a time Sri Lanka is warming up to host Commonwealth Games in 2018,
perhaps it will help to study the Korean example as a guide to organize
the 2018 event successfully. Sri Lanka's motivation to host Commonwealth
Games is fundamentally associated with long-term development not only
for Hambantota but the Southern Province as a whole. Since Hambantota is
currently developing to be the biggest investment zone in Sri Lanka with
a port, an airport and mega amenities for sports, backed up by a strong
financial commitment of billions of US dollars, it will be seen as a
unique legacy after the country recovers from the devastation of the
tsunami and 30 years of a terrorist conflict.
Daegu city. Picture courtesy: Google |
Daegu city
Daegu City is 87,294 sq. miles in size with a population of 2.5
million. The provision of the world's first wireless broadband Internet
service (Wibro) and DMB technology elevate Daegu as a metropolitan
cutting-edge city. Blessed with the most excellent level of sports and
convention infrastructure, it has hosted major sporting events in the
past. Its Convention Hall spanning 3,872 sq, m, with specialised
lighting, sound system, six language simultaneous translation system, up
to date video conference facilities and A/V facilities etc., can
accommodate up to 4,200 people.
Tapping onto Korea's rich experiences, the city of Daegu has
delivered the best ever World Championships in the history of IAAF.
Although her overall athletic performance falls short of world-class
level, the nation excels in the Marathon. This is evident in the number
of medals Korean marathoners have won and the sheer size of the millions
of Korean amateur marathoners who run on a regular basis.
A special media village within the 'Athletes Village' provides easy
access to the activities being just ten minutes drive away from the
Daegu Stadium. The first blue coloured track in Korea is the most
updated of its kind in the world which is guaranteed to provide maximum
elasticity for the athletes, thereby contributing a greater enhanced
performance.
Marketing
One year prior to the grand finale, the Local Organizing Committee
(LOC) launched its ticket sales to the public in downtown Daegu. The LOC
developed a variety of attractive discounts on ticket purchases early -
e.g. 10 percent discount on tickets purchased before March 31, 2011. As
an added incentive LOC is offering an exclusive four-day, three-night
tour package for two to the city of Daegu with roundtrip air tickets and
accommodation in top of the range star class hotels.
Ticket prices range between KRW 20,000 (approximately USD 20) for the
uppermost-level seats and KRW 150,000 (approximately USD 150) for the
premier seats closest to the 'Finish Line'.
The logo of the IAAF World Championships Daegu 2011 features the new
IAAF competition insignia and the LOC's local element.
It is a perfect amalgamation of the Oriental Yin-Yang philosophy and
represents the harmony between East and West. The swirling arrows of the
local element capture the energy of the wind and the colours represent
the vibrancy of the 'Colourful Daegu' brand.
The natural, yet energetic Oriental-style calligraphic stroke of an
athlete crossing the 'Finish Line' embodies Daegu's passion and vision
to stride ahead of the competition.
Korea is internationally recognized for its success in staging major
sporting events, including the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, the 4th IAAF
World Junior Championships (Seoul) 1992, two Asian Games, the 2002 FIFA
World Cup, and the 2003 Summer Universiade. With the hosting of the IAAF
World Championships Daegu 2011, Korea will earn the honour of having
hosted the triple crown of the three most prestigious sporting events -
the Olympic Games, the FIFA World Cup and the IAAF World Championships.
Doo Won Lee assures full cooperation and willingness to part with
their knowledge and know-how to help Sri Lanka with Korea's bags of
experience in this area in the past, should there be a beckoning call
for any assistance or advice.
In the words of Hambantota 2018 Organising Committee Co-Chair Ajith
Nivard Cabraal, "Sri Lanka's bid can be the catalyst for bringing the
prestigious event back to the Caribbean for the first time in over half
a century."
Hambantota which is currently undergoing a major development
programme is said to be almost equal to all investment zones in the
country put together. If on 11 November 2011, at the Commonwealth Games
Federation (CGF) general assembly in St. Kitts and Nevis, members of the
Commonwealth were to decide Hambantota as the host city for Commonwealth
Games, then Sri Lanka will become the 10th country to host the games in
its 80-year history.
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