Durban to host 2022 Commonwealth Games

DURBAN has been chosen to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

The announcement was made after the 71 nations of the Commonwealth Games Federation cast their vote in New Zealand at 6am South African time today.

To capture the mood of the people, reflect the passion for sports and show that the youth are behind these Games, about 1 500 pupils gathered at the George Campbell High School sports field in Durban to watch the announcement being broadcast live from Auckland.

Municipal manager, Sbusiso Sithole, said the City will build on the experience of hosting the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

“We hosted a few games during the World Cup which were successful. With the Commonwealth Games, most of the sporting codes will be played here in Durban,” he said.

The Games, said Sithole, will be historic for the City.

“Durban is hosting the Games on behalf of South Africa and Africa. We pray that everyone, South Africans and the whole of Africa will be behind us,” he added.

He said staging the Commonwealth Games in Durban will have far reaching benefits for South Africa and the African continent, with regards to sports development, nurturing local talent and economic growth.

Investment in infrastructure for the Games is expected to contribute to the lasting benefits of the host city. The added exposure to global markets will also provide opportunities to attract and enhance tourism and foreign direct investment. In total, the 2022 Commonwealth Games is expected to deliver up to R20 billion in output to the economy, translating into an estimated R11 billion Gross Domestic Product growth.

The City’s concept for the Games features a compact venue plan centred around the sporting precinct of the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium and adjacent coastline. Other identified venues for the games includes the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, Durban Exhibition Centre complex, Kings Park Rugby Stadium, the University of KwaZulu-Natal Indoor Sports Centre, Rachel Finlayson Pool, New Beach, Queensmead Hockey Stadium, Collegians Bowling Club and Cascades Mountain Bike Park in Pietermaritzburg. Eighty per cent of these facilities are within a 2.5km radius.

The City leadership is confident that the opportunity to host the Games in 2022 will accelerate infrastructure development and refurbishment of sports facilities in the City which will form part of the City’s sustainable sports development programmes, which will in turn improve the lives of underprivileged children and adults in various communities.