European delegates laud quality of Hambantota bid
Hambantota’s bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games has received a
massive boost after its concept was widely praised by European delegates
who visited it. The group representing Cyprus, England, Gibraltar,
Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Malta, Northern Ireland,
Scotland and Wales share 10 votes between them, which could be
crucial at the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) General Assembly in
St Kitts and Nevis on November 11 when Hambantota will face its only
rival, the Gold Coast.
“The concept for the Games being held there is quite superb,” said
Don Parker, Director of Sport for Commonwealth Games England, who are
due to hold a meeting in London next month to discuss who they should
vote for.
“The concept for the Games being held there is quite superb. The
[Athletes’] Village looks like it will be an excellent Village for the
athletes, the venues are all very close to where the athletes will stay,
the venues look as though they are going to be world class in terms of
facilities, and we’ve also found the Sri Lankan people we’ve met to be
very friendly and very professional,” he said.
Parker’s comments were echoed by Commonwealth Games Scotland Chairman
Michael Cavanagh, who is also a member of the Board of Directors for
Glasgow 2014, the next host of the Games. “If you’re successful in
winning the 2018 Games then it will be a fantastic catalyst for
development, not just for Hambantota but throughout the country and that
is of course the main reason for bidding for the Games - it’s not just
about 11 days of sport, it’s about what it can do for your country and
people, and certainly the concept we’ve seen here is a fantastic
concept,” he said.
Jersey Commonwealth Games Association President Alan Cross, admitted
that he was surprised by the quality of the bid from Hambantota, who
have been the outsiders since the race begun but with less than 50 days
to go are now considered to be a genuine threat.
“People haven’t realised what excellent potential you have until
quite recently and visits like this open people’s eyes to the future and
the potential you have in putting on a Games,” he said.
Sports Minister and co-chairman of the Hambantota 2018 Organising
Committee, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, welcomed the backing for the bid.
“I am very pleased the delegation recognises the excellent potential
of the city to host such an event,” he was quoted as saying by inside
the games. |