Home » Game Over as Durban Loses Commonwealth Games 2022

Game Over as Durban Loses Commonwealth Games 2022

Durban, South Africa, has lost the right to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022… although the South African Sports Minister said they have received no official notification yet. In a statement published in the media on Monday (see below), the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) said it had completed its review of the final information submitted […]

By SAPeople
13-03-17 19:35
in Eish!

Durban, South Africa, has lost the right to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022… although the South African Sports Minister said they have received no official notification yet.

In a statement published in the media on Monday (see below), the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) said it had completed its review of the final information submitted by South Africa on 30 November 2016… which was to determine whether Durban’s proposals for hosting the 2022 Games were consistent with their original bid commitments and the contract.

CGF said: “It is with disappointment that the detailed review has concluded that there is a significant departure from the undertakings provided in Durban’s bid and as a result a number of key obligations and commitments in areas such as governance, venues, funding and risk management/assurance have not been met under the revised proposition.”

CGF President Louise Martin said that the CGF is still committed to presenting a successful 2022 Games for participants and fans, and is now exploring alternative options, including a potential replacement host.

Birmingham City in the UK has already issued a follow-up statement saying that it is in the “advanced stages of producing a detailed feasibility study” to host the Games, and is in “close contact with the Government about the developing situation”.

The Commonwealth Games are not however giving up on South Africa!

The CGF President said: “The CGF will continue to have an open dialogue with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the Republic of South Africa and remains committed to realising the shared ambitions of a future Commonwealth Games in Africa.”

South African Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula issued a response, saying he notes the CGF media reports but that his Department has not yet received official communication from the CGF on the withdrawal of the rights to host the 2022 games.

The Sports Department, the KwaZulu-Natal Province, and the eThekwini Municipality will hold a media conference tomorrow at Moses Mabhida Stadium to convey government’s response to the media statement, and response to media comments attributed to SASCOC President Gideon Sam who apparently attributed issues to the unforeseen South African economy problems. R118-million has already reportedly been spent.

Meanwhile Queen Elizabeth II has set the Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton Relay in motion today during a star-studded commencement ceremony at Buckingham Palace as part of Commonwealth Day celebrations.

Meanwhile South Africans are turning their attention to the opportunity to potentially host the Rugby World Cup in 2023.

 

https://twitter.com/Cooster_ZA/status/841328891113459713