COMMONWEALTH GAMES

October 18 - Canada's Bruce Robertson, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) vice-president, claims that the vote on who will stage the 2018 competition presents a difficult choice for members with Australia's Gold Coast and Sri Lanka's Hambantota both bidding to host the event.

Delegates from 71 Commonwealth nations and territories will gather to cast one vote each at the CGF General Assembly on November 11 in St Kitts and Nevis to determine the hosts of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

CGF vice president Robertson - who is also the chair of the CGF Marketing Committee and the Glasgow 2014 Coordination Commission - feels that voting delegates face a tough decision on which bid to choose due to the fact that there is such a contrast between the Gold Coast and Hambantota.

"The 2018 vote will be a very difficult choice for our members to make because the two bids are so different," Robertson told insidethegames.

"Both cities have completely different ideas about how they want to lever their investment in the Games and both offer very different environments and therefore completely contrasting approaches.

"The Gold Coast has a lot of established venues and a lot of organisational capacity.

"Hambantota has a wonderful concept around their Games city but obviously the venues there have not yet been built so they will certainly have some delivery challenges over a seven-year project.

"So it will be a very interesting vote and I am quite honestly not sure which way the members are going to go."

Robertson, a former swimmer who won multiple medals at both the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games in the 1970s, continued that he is pleased to see two such different bids for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

"It is fantastic that there is so much interest in the Commonwealth Games as a property and opportunity," he said.

"The 2018 bid race shows just what the event can do for a city and a country regardless of the state of infrastructure or economy in the region and I wish both the Gold Coast and Hambantota the best of luck."

During the CGF General Assembly in St Kitts and Nevis, Robertson will be bidding for a third term as CGF vice-president having been in the role since 2003.

He faces tough competition to secure one of the two CGF vice-presidency places, as he is one of four strong candidates bidding alongside England's Ian Emmerson, South Africa's Gideon Sam and Kip Keino of Kenya.

Malaysia's Prince Tunku Imran, who is currently the other CGF vice-president serving alongside Robertson, will take over from Jamaica's Mike Fennell as CGF President at the General Assembly next month after he was the only candidate to put himself forward when the deadline for candidates closed in August this year.

The announcement of the 2018 Commonwealth Games host in St Kitts and Nevis will be Fennell's last act as President following a successful 17 years in charge and he will step down and become a life vice-president of the organisation.

-Tom Degun

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

October 12 - Mike Hooper, chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), has said that the race between Australia's Gold Coast and Sri Lanka's Hambantota to host the 2018 event is one of the most exciting ever.

The battle has now entered the final stages with less than a month to go until the 71 Commonwealth nations and territories gather decide on who will host the event at the CGF General Assembly on November 11 in St Kitts and Nevis.

Hooper was part of the five-person Evaluation Commission that inspected both the Gold Coast and Hambantota earlier this year before publishing the 144-page report on the two bidding cities that was sent to all of the CGF's 71-member nations and territories to help inform them of the technical merits of each proposal.

He said that the fact that the bids are so entirely different has helped to make this such an exciting race.

"We have two very different bids as we outlined in our evaluation commission report earlier this year," Hooper told insidethegames.

"When you look at Hambantota, it is certainly an exciting proposition with the unique masterplan that they have put forward.

"There are obviously logistical challenges, which the team in Sri Lanka have acknowledged themselves, but there can be no questioning of the level of commitment from our friends in Hambantota to deliver on the promises they have made.

"In the Gold Coast, we have a lot of existing infrastructure and facilities and certainly the foundations for a great event in 2018.

"There is clearly slightly less risk with the Gold Coast bid but you cannot really draw comparisons between the two as they are totally different bids.

"Ultimately, it our 71 member nations and territories that will decide and it is for them to make the assessment call on which direction they want to take the Commonwealth Games.

"We will find out on November 11 but this has certainly been one of the most exciting contests we have had for the Commonwealth Games and I'm sure that the excitement will continue right up to the vote itself."

The announcement of the decision at the St Kitts Marriott Resort is set to be made at 18:00 Local Time by CGF President Mike Fennell (pictured right).

The announcement will be Fennell's last act as President as the Jamaican will step down straight after the CGF General Assembly and become a life vice-president of the organisation.

Current CGF vice-president Prince Tunku Imran of Malaysia is set to take up the role of Presidency, as he is the only candidate standing for election for the position in St Kitts and Nevis.

A live internet feed of the decision will be available on the CGF's website at www.thecgf.com, while the General Assembly will be the first time ever that an electronic vote has taken place for the Commonwealth Games.

Hooper says he is looking forward to the introduction of the electronic voting system despite the fact that there have been major failures with the process, perhaps most notably at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Congress in Daegu in August when votes had to be farcically be re-run after technical problems.

"We are aware of some problems with the electronic voting system at other international sporting bodies but that is not a major concern for us," said Hooper.

"We have tested our thoroughly technology for the vote next month but obviously we will have a Plan B if necessary.

"The electronic system is certainly more efficient and timelier and we have done a lot of research on the matter so we are confident it will work.

"There is a lot involved with the technology and obviously we are doing a live broadcast of the vote at the same time but we have everything in place and I think the new electronic system will be nice addition to the General Assembly and help add to the drama as the votes come in."

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

By Tom Degun

The Commonwealth Games Federation’s (CGF) Coordination Commission (CoCom) today concluded its four-day visit to Glasgow, the first of six which will take place in the lead-up to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Summarising the CoCom’s findings, Bruce Robertson, Vice President of the CGF and Chair of the Commission, said:
“The project is on course. There are no ‘red flags’.”
“We are satisfied with progress including the great strength of partnership, progress on planning and delivery of the major infrastructure elements such as the Athletes’ Village and the sports venues, and the clear focus on generating value and legacy for the people of Glasgow and Scotland.
“The Commonwealth Games are a catalyst for positive change and real economic impact.  As an example, 78% of contracts awarded have gone to Scottish companies.  The Games will create hundreds of jobs and will achieve sustainable benefits for Glasgow enhancing skills, regeneration of strategically important parts of the city, and developing improved amenity and opportunities for sport and healthy lifestyles.
“The Games governance structures are in good order.  The partnership across the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and the Organising Committee is impressive; as good as we have seen of any recent Games.  Evidence of this partnership can be found in the great job Glasgow City Council have done in delivering the primary venue development with all projects on time and within budget.  All of this has been in close collaboration with the Organising Committee.
“We reviewed a number of areas, such as infrastructure, security, transport, workforce ramp up, finance, management and planning; none of the outcomes of the reviews were a surprise to us or the Organising Committee at this stage of the planning process. With just under three years to go the focus now moves on to detailed operational planning.  2014 may seem a long way off, but the level of activity typically accelerates at this stage of a Games project and we all need to shift into the next gear to keep pace.”
“The next Coordination Commission visit is set for April 2012 and at that time we will be looking for the Organising Committee to have recruited more staff. We’ll also be undertaking a further review of Glasgow’s plans for transforming venues into Games-ready facilities, reviewing the sports programme, finalising the routes for the road courses and reviewing the Organising Committee’s ticketing programme. “

Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive David Grevemberg said:

“We are on track and on budget and we’re absolutely delighted to show the Coordination Commission members our progress, as well as discuss the pathway ahead of us. We have achieved a great deal to date, we have a great team and we are confident we will deliver an outstanding Games.”

Councillor Archie Graham, Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow City Council, said:

“I am delighted with the findings of the Commonwealth Games Federation. Glasgow City Council has been making steady progress on delivering the venues and facilities we are providing for the Games, and we are already seeing results from some of the legacy projects which will make a real difference to the lives of Glaswegians, such as the 1,500 school leavers who are now in apprenticeship places.”

Shona Robison, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, said:

“The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will provide us with the opportunity to show the world what vibrant and welcoming places both Glasgow and Scotland are, and in return we’ll have the honour of welcoming some of the world’s greatest athletes to this country.
“I am very pleased with the positive feedback received and I would like to congratulate the Organising Committee and partners on all the work they have done so far. With little more than 1,000 days to go the venues and infrastructure are rising from the ground in Glasgow and all across Scotland people are getting involved and feeling the excitement that the Games will bring.”

Michael Cavanagh, Commonwealth Games Scotland’s Chairman, said:

“Commonwealth Games Scotland welcomes the comments from the first visit of the CGF Coordination Commission. Delivering a Games that reflects and meets the needs of athletes and the Commonwealth Games Associations has always been our prime objective. The useful interaction and advice from the Coordination Commission will help ensure we remain well on track to do so whilst also delivering a great Games and legacy for Glasgow and Scotland.”

Note to Editors

1.    The Commonwealth Games Federation appoints a Co-ordination Commission (or 'CoCom') for each Commonwealth Games. The role of the CoCom is to provide advice and support to the organisers, utilising the members' experience of past Games, to provide technical support through the CGF's Knowledge Management programme, and to oversee and ensure compliance with the commitments and undertakings that Glasgow entered into under the host city agreement.
2.    For further information, please contact the Glasgow 2014 press office at 0141 287 3457 or Peter Murphy, Head of Communications, Commonwealth Games Federation on  0792 002 5575.

Badminton is set for an increased profile in the Commonwealth following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the sport’s international governing body, Badminton World Federation (BWF) and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).

Collaborating under the banner of “CGF/BWF - Partners Uniting the Commonwealth through Sport”, the two organisations will work to showcase and promote world class badminton competition in the CGF’s 71 member countries and territories.

The MOU will also focus on improving participation levels among able-bodied and para-sport athletes, particularly in the Commonwealth’s developing nations.

The CGF will also consult with the BWF on ways to further enhance the overall Games experience for competitors and officials at the Games.

Spectators, both those attending a Commonwealth Games or following the Games through various media channels, will also benefit from this partnership.

The CGF and BWF will jointly develop a media and communications plan around each edition of the Commonwealth Games and, where applicable, the Commonwealth Youth Games, to spread the word across the Commonwealth.

The MOU, signed by CGF President, The Hon. Michael Fennell OJ.,CD, and BWF President, Dr Kang Young Joong, is a broad-ranging document that commits each party a greater level of consultation, collaboration and sharing of information at each Games and in the years between.

Badminton is one of the “Core Sports” on the Commonwealth Games program, meaning that all host cities must include the sport in their competition schedule.

CGF CEO, Mike Hooper, says the MOU has further strengthened the CGF’s relationship with the sport.

“Badminton is a very popular sport within the Commonwealth and we are delighted to work with the world body to promote the game to our member nations and to establish a robust framework for the operation of the sport at the time of each Games,” Mr Hooper said.

BWF President, Dr Kang, believes this partnership will bring about many positives for the future of both organisations.

“The dialogue with the CGF to get to this point has been very good and we see the MOU as being very constructive in helping us widen the appeal of our sport throughout the Commonwealth,” Dr Kang said.

Source: www.sportcom.com.au/thecgf

August 21 - Hambantota's bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games has received the endorsement of Kip Keino, one of the most influential athletes in history and a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The Kenyan, visiting Sri Lanka to help promote the Colombo Marathon which is due to take place on October 2, has claimed that awarding the Games to Hambantota would help accelerate the development of the country's top athletes.

"I came to see what Sri Lanka can offer at Commonwealth Games in 2018," said Keino.

"What I saw here is a nation very rich with humanity, culture and great hospitality."

The Commonwealth Games played an important role in Keino's career.

It was his gold medals in the mile and three miles at the 1966 Games in Kingston, Jamaica, which launched him onto the international stage.

Two years later he won the 1500 metres at the Olympics in Mexico City and then at Munich in 1972 he claimed victory in the 3,000m steeplechase.

Keino's performances provided inspiration for more Kenyan runners to believe they could compete at the highest level, eventually leading to the dominance they enjoy now.

"I also saw a country with great potential in the field of sports," said Keino, who is now 71, after arriving in Sri Lanka.

"There are talented athletes in this country who are eager to move up to the global arena and what they need is exposure."

The Commonwealth Games Federation is due to choose the host city for 2018 at its Assembly in St Kitts and Nevis on November 11 where Hambantota will face rivals the Gold Coast.

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

By Duncan Mackay

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

By Duncan Mackay

August 12 - Mike Fennell has confirmed that he will not seek re-election as President of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) - leaving the way clear for Malaysia's Prince Tunku Imran to replace him, as first revealed exclusively on insidethegames.

The 76-year-old Jamaican is retiring after 17 years as President having overseen Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur in 1998, Manchester in 2002, Melbourne in 2006 and New Delhi in 2010, which were all successful apart from the last one which was bedevilled with controversy over the building of infrastructure and security and is now at the centre of a major political row over corruption.

Imran, 63, was the only candidate to put himself forward when the deadline for candidates closed yesterday.

He is a former Malaysian squash champion and is the President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia vice-president of the CGF and Chairman of the CGF's Sports Committee.

He has been a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 2006, having lead the Malaysian team to the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games as its Chef de Mission.

He has held a number of positions in world sport, including being President of the World Squash Federation from 1989 to 1996 and he was an Executive Board Member of the International Cricket Council from 1997 to 1999 and again from 2001 to 2008.

Professionally, Imran is a qualified barrister, company chairman and director.

Elections for the CGF Executive will take place in St Kitts on November 11, the same time that the CGF's 71 member nations will decide whether the Gold Coast or Hambantota will host the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

There will be four people chasing two places as vice-president, led by Kip Keino, the 1968 Olympic 1500m and 1972 3000 metres steeplechae champion.

He will face opposition from England's Ian Emmerson, Canada's Brude Robertson and Gideon Sam from South Africa.

Scotland's Louise Martin and Barbados' Austin Sealy will be unopposed for the role of general secretary and treasure respectively.

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

By: Tom Degun

August 9 – Hambantota is hopeful that its bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games will receive a major boost this week as the African Commonwealth delegation arrived in Sri Lanka to look at the plans to stage the event.

The votes of the African delegation are likely to play a crucial role in deciding who will host the competition when the decision is announced at the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) General Assembly in St Kitts and Nevis on November 11.

The African delegation has already visited Hambantota's only rival for the event – the Gold Coast – and admitted they were highly impressed with what they saw in the Australian city last month.

However, Hambantota now have their own chance to impress the African delegation and Ajith Nivard Cabraal, the Hambantota co-chairman and Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, is hopeful Africa will want to take the event to a new country after seeing the success of the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup last year, which marked the first time the event was held in Africa.

"Africa shares our vision for life-changing sport," said Cabraal.

"Sport can be transformational, especially for children and young people and a prudent approach to bidding for and hosting major events can be the catalyst for sustainable social and economic development.

"We think there are clear synergies in how we are harnessing the power of sport to build a better tomorrow for our people."

The visit from the African delegation is the second 2018 voters' visit to Sri Lanka following the inspection from the Caribbean delegation last month.

Sri Lanka is vying to become the tenth country to host the Games in its 80 year history and Cabraal is confident they can achieve that dream.

"For us there is much more at stake than simply tourism and revenue generation," he said.

"As a unified nation Sri Lanka is on an exciting and progressive journey driven by its 10-year plan taking Sri Lanka to 2020.

"Bidding for and hosting the Games in 2018 is an integral part of this journey and will act as a catalyst in helping to achieve these ambitions together."

There will be 71 Commonwealth nations and territories eligible to vote for where the 2018 Commonwealth Games in staged on November 11 but the African delegation is highly important as they represent 19 votes.

Following their visit to Hambantota, the city will welcome delegations from Europe and Oceania next month before a visit from the Asian delegation in October.

Source: www.insidethegames.biz

By Duncan Mackay

Hambantota is looking forward to hosting the 2018 Commonwealth Games as an opportunity to demonstrate how Sri Lanka can interact with the rest of the world, bid chairman Ajith Nivard Cabraal (pictured) has said with only 100 days left until the vote to decide whether they or rivals Gold Coast should be chosen to stage the event.

Since their surprise decision to put themselves forward in April 2010, Hambantota have moved from rank outsiders to serious contenders and are growing increasingly confident ahead of success at the Commonwealth Games Federation Assembly in St Kitts and Nevis on November 11, where the host city will be chosen.

Cabraal, who is also the chairman of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, believes that Sri Lanka can continue the recent trend of major events being awarded to emerging markets.

"Hitherto it has traditionally been the most advanced nations that have done this [staged the major Games]," he said.

"But it is not necessarily so now.

"There is a general feeling in the world that emerging countries should also be given the opportunity.

"Given the opportunity there is more countries like us who can emerge and do well."

Hambantota was hit hard by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and s currently undergoing a number of major development projects funded by China and India.

But Cabraal claims that hosting the Commonwealth Games is a chance for Sri Lanka to show that it can develop by itself.

"We must move away from this aid mentality where we have to eternally go and ask people for aid," he said.

"That is not the way we should be looking at it.

"We should look at how can we participate with the rest of the world, how do we make ourselves opportunities, how we interact with the rest of the world.

"And that is the opportunity we will receive when we host the Games and I am very much looking forward to doing that."

Cabraal's confidence has been fuelled by the recent visit of a delegation from the Caribbean, who visted Hambantota to inspect the bid.

"The hsopitaly has been overwhelming," said Steve Stoute, the President of the Barbados Olympic Committee.

"I've been to vitrually every Commonwealth Games going back to 1966 and this is the first time I've seen such a compact bid with all the venues and facilities within walking distance from the Games village.

"So, from my perspective, I'm very impressed with what I've seen."

Jamaica's Teddy McCook, a member of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) ruling Council, claimed that if Hambantota were to win then they had to sell their message.

"I think it's now up to the Sri Lanka Organising Committee to market what you have produced," he said.

"I think if you are able to do this I am sure you will get the support of the countries that will participate."

MEDIA RELEASE

SRI LANKA’S COMMONWEALTH BID SEEKS RUNS ON THE BOARD WITH FIRST INWARD MISSION FROM THE CARIBBEAN

26 July 2011 – Sri Lanka’s bid to host its first Commonwealth Games can be the catalyst for bringing the prestigious event back to the Caribbean for the first time in over half a century, Hambantota 2018 Organising Committee Co-Chair Ajith Nivard Cabraal said today.

Cabraal, also Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, is driving the ‘island jewel of the Indian ocean’s’ bid to become only the 10th country to host the Games in its 80 year history.  His comments came as he welcomed Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) and affiliate bodies from a region that itself has only hosted the Games on one occasion: the 1966 Games in Kingston, Jamaica. It is the first in a series of ‘inward missions’ by Commonwealth members ahead of the vote to decide the host city at the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) general assembly in St Kitts & Nevis on 11 November this year.

Now a bid described as ‘visionary, exciting and unique’ by CGF Evaluation Commission chair Louise Martin, may provide a blueprint for others in the 71-nation Commonwealth to follow.  The Caribbean delegates visiting Sri Lanka this week will already relate to the country’s island charm; how its passion for cricket is turning to a wide range of other sports; and its plans to identify and train talented athletes from a young age.

“We are delighted to welcome our friends from the Caribbean to Sri Lanka and are looking forward to coming to St Kitts & Nevis full of hope later this year,” said Cabraal.  “We have long shared a passion for cricket.  You think of Antigua’s Sir Vivian Richards, Andy Roberts and Richie Richardson.  Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Frank Worrell, Sir Clyde Walcott, Sir Everton Weekes, Gordon Greenidge, Joel Garner and Malcolm Marshall from Barbados.  And of course Cardigan Connor as ‘chef de mission’ for Anguilla’s Commonwealth Games team in 2002.

“But we also share an island culture and a passion for sport in general.  Now we want to share our enthusiasm for these Games and show that other countries can get involved.  Our bid will not only make a huge difference for our unified nation.  It will give huge encouragement to the other 61 nations that have never hosted the Games and may wish to do so – including those from the Caribbean.”

Cabraal believes hosting the Games will see Sri Lanka stake claims for medals in the same way the country has done extraordinarily well in cricket.  Admitted as a Test-plating nation in 1981, Sri Lanka won the World Cup just 15 years later (1996) and finished runners-up in both 2007 and earlier this year when Hambantota itself staged two matches.

“It shows the talent is there but we just need a little inspiration and organisation,” he added.  “This is one of the main reasons behind our bid.  This is an extraordinary opportunity to get our young people energised in sport in general.  We look at Malaysia; prior to hosting the Games in 1998 Malaysia’s medal tally was four per Games but has risen to about 35 since.  An extraordinary change has taken place as a result of hosting the Games; that’s what we want to emulate.”

Such ambitions are supported by the launch of a new seven year national plan created by the Ministry of Sports and reflected in the country’s hosting of the South Asian Games in 2016, which means all venues and supporting infrastructure planned for the 2018 Commonwealth Games will be in place two years ahead of time.

Australia (1938, 1962, 1982, 2006) and Canada (1930, 1954, 1978, 1994) have hosted the Games four times; New Zealand (1950, 1974, 1990) three times; England (1934, 2002) and Scotland (1970, 1986) twice; and Wales (1958), Jamaica (1966), Malaysia (1998) and India (2010) once.  With Scotland hosting Glasgow 2014, a Hambantota 2018 Games will install Sri Lanka as the 10th country in an expanding list that would have added three ‘new’ hosts in the space of two decades.

The CGF’s Evaluation Commission visited Hambantota last month and plans to issue its report by 11 October one month ahead of the general assembly.  For more information on Hambantota 2018 visit: www.hambantota2018.com

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

The Caribbean delegation to Sri Lanka’s Hambantota 2018 bid included representatives from:

•         Commonwealth Games Association of Anguilla
•         Antigua & Barbuda Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association
•         Bahamas Olympic Association
•         Barbados Olympic Association Inc.
•         British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee
•         Dominica Olympic Committee
•         Grenada Olympic Association
•         Jamaica Olympic Association
•         St Kitts & Nevis Olympic Association
•         St Lucia Olympic Committee
•         St Vincent & The Grenadines

Source: insidethegames.biz | By Tom Degun

July 13 – The Gold Coast Bid team have moved to diffuse a row with Hambantota in the race to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games after claims were allegedly made from the Australian city criticising their Sri Lankan rivals and comparing their plans to last year's event in New Delhi, which they claimed was a "disaster".

Sri Lankan newspaper The Daily Mirror reported that Gold Coast 2018 chief executive Mark Peters had criticised Delhi and suggested that Hambantota will be a similar competition but the Australian city has claimed that this was not the case at all.

"The Bid team was certainly not criticising India but acknowledging some difficulties which many Games experience," a Gold Coast 2012 spokesperson told insidethegames.

"Informal surveys conducted by the Australian Commonwealth Games Association concluded that the Australian athletes enjoyed their Delhi experience.

"As our chairman, Mark Stockwell, recently stated we are focussing solely on the strengths of Gold Coast City bid when we engage with the delegates and are throwing all our energy into ensuring their visits are informative and demonstrate exactly how and why we will deliver a great Games in 2018 if our bid is successful."

Hambantota 2018 chief executive Nalin Attygalle had been reported in The Daily Mirror as saying: "We didn't compare ourselves with our neighbour because India is too big, but it is surprising that the Australians would run down another voting country such as India.

"There must be no underestimation of any developing country, especially with regards to the preparations for the Commonwealth Games.

"Sri Lanka is not seeking sympathy votes instead the votes we receive will be based on merit."

Attygalle though, claimed to insidethegames that his comments had not been correctly reported and that there was no row between the two cities bidding for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The race to host the 2018 has reached a critical stage with both having recently received a visit from the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Evaluation Commission.

They are currently in the process of hosting voting delegates from the 71 Commonwealth nations and territories with a decision on where the event will be held made on November 11 this year in St Kitts and Nevis.

The Commonwealth Games Federation Evaluation Commission has completed its four-day visit to Sri Lanka, declaring Hambantota a strong candidate for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Evaluation Commission chairman, Louise Martin from Scotland, said her five member panel had been impressed with the vision held by local authorities to host the 2018 Games.

The Commission – which also includes Mr Gideon Sam, President South Africa Sports Confederation and National Olympic Committee, Mr Erskine Simmons, Secretary General Barbados Olympic Committee, Mr Andrew Ryan, Executive Director, ASOIF, and Mr Mike Hooper, CGF CEO – held high-level discussions with representatives of national, district and local governments and senior representatives of the bid team during its visit.

The Commission’s visit to Sri Lanka follows time spent on the Gold Coast in Australia last week, the other 2018 Commonwealth Games candidature city.

“Overall, the proposal of staging the Commonwealth Games in Hambantota is an exciting one and, given the development of the relevant infrastructure, will provide a unique Games experience for the athletes and other Games client groups,” Mrs Martin said.

“We have been impressed with the vision for Sri Lanka and Hambantota and now have a clear view of where the hosting of the Commonwealth Games could fit within that vision.

“The leadership shown by the national and district governments is impressive.  The alignment of agencies around the national, regional and Games vision is equally impressive.

“As you would expect more than seven years out, and with considerable additional work to be done in forming the final Games plan, there are some matters which simply cannot be, or do not need to be, known at this stage.

“That said, the foundations for a great Games are laid in the plans which are now being locked down by the governments, the bid team and the Sri Lankan Commonwealth Games Association.”

Mrs Martin said that it had been a fruitful visit to the country, with the day in Hambantota providing great insight to that region’s aspirations.

“We met the Hambantota people and those who are already doing the work necessary to build this city and region and we noted substantial progress and have no doubt about the resolve to deliver the necessary infrastructure by 2016.

“It is clear that in meeting the requirements for the 2018 Commonwealth Games important legacies can be generated for the region and, indeed the country.

The Commission will release its report on the two bid cities by October 11th a month before the vote at the Federation’s General Assembly in St Kitts and Nevis on November 11.

Glasgow 2014 has appointed the BBC as the Domestic Broadcast Rights Holder for the XX Commonwealth Games.

The BBC investment in Glasgow 2014 reflects the importance of the Games to the Home nations and offers the Organising Committee an unparalleled platform for the promotion of the Games to the widest possible UK audience.

The BBC Network offers coverage of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games through the BBC One and BBC Two television networks, news coverage across the BBC Radio and TV networks (including Radio 5 Live and Sports Extra), red button interactive and/or IPTV services, the BBC Sport website and international promotion of the Games through BBC World News and the BBC World Service.  

In addition, it is expected that the BBC’s Nations and Regions sport and news teams for television, radio and online will generate considerable additional interest by focusing on the performance of local competitors in those parts of the British Isles which compete at the Games as separate teams.

The BBC has a long association with the Commonwealth Games which dates back to the first British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1954, and the organisation will bring unrivalled experience of covering major multi-sport Games.

Glasgow 2014 anticipates significant benefits from this experience in relation to shaping the host broadcast production of the Games, to ensure the highest quality output is achieved.  

Glasgow 2014 Chairman, Lord Smith of Kelvin said:

“I am delighted that the BBC has taken up the domestic rights for the Commonwealth Games and I believe this deal represents a huge vote of confidence in Glasgow 2014 as well as the Commonwealth Games movement in general. We anticipate some of the world’s highest profile athletes will compete at our Games, fresh from their successes at London 2012.

“The added spice will be seeing the stars of Team GB in their own national colours in Glasgow, just two years later. The BBC’s reach will help us to generate a huge level of excitement and anticipation in the lead up to the biggest event Scotland will ever have hosted.”

Ken MacQuarrie, Director of BBC Scotland, said:

“BBC Scotland will have a special role at the heart of our coverage in giving the Games extensive exposure in Scotland across our dedicated TV, radio and online services – all of which will make the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games a truly momentous occasion in Scotland.”
Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport Shona Robison said:
"The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will showcase Scotland to the world and this is another key milestone in the delivery of the Games.  While we urge everyone to come to Scotland and be part of this great event, I am pleased that the award of the domestic rights to the BBC means that most people in the UK will be able to enjoy the spectacle of the Games on free to view television in their homes.
“Income from the sale of broadcasting rights is a welcome contribution to the Games Budget alongside the funds provided by the Scottish Government and its funding partners."

Note to Editors

1.    The BBC’s network television channels are watched by 85% of the population each week, whilst 66% listen to the BBC’s national radio stations.
2.    The BBC’s submission to the David Davies Review of listed sporting events stated the following:   “The Commonwealth Games is second only to the Olympics in bringing together so many countries to compete in many sports and events. As England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland compete as separate teams, the Games are particularly important to the nations. Glasgow has been selected to host the Games in 2014. When the Games were hosted by Manchester in 2002, they reached 40.3 million people – nearly 73% of the UK population, a level of reach on a par with the Olympics, the football World Cup and Euros (i.e. over 40 million). The audience peaked at 9.7 million for the Closing Ceremony.”
3.    For media queries for Glasgow 2014 please contact Glasgow 2014 PR Manager Holly Wheeler on 0141 287 3457 or holly.wheeler@glasgow2014.com
4.    For media queries for the BBC, please contact Head of Communications Roy Templeton on 0141 422 6315 or roy.templeton@bbc.co.uk.