DURBAN’S chances of hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games are very good according to delegates from the Americas and Caribbean who were impressed by Durban’s preparedness to host the Games.
The delegation, from member Commonwealth Games Federation countries, is the third and final group to visit the city to inspect proposed venues for the Games.
They visited a number of proposed sporting sites since their arrival on Tuesday, 4 August 2015, including the Rachel Finlayson Pool, Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban International Convention Centre and Durban Exhibition Centre.
Commonwealth Games Canada President Richard Powers said Durban has earned his country’s vote.
“I was surprised how far ahead the organisers have planned considering the Games are in 2022. There is already a lot of infrastructure in place so to make the Games happen, not a lot will have to be built. This minimises expenditure,” he said.
Powers said Durban is a beautiful city and that he supported the bid. “The planning committee has outdone itself, everything has been perfect. My hat goes off to them. I think Durban’s chances are good. I am voting on behalf of Canada and Durban has my vote. Canada will be supporting their bid,” he said.
K.A. Juman-Yassin from Guyana in the Caribbean said Durban was fit to the host the Games.
“It will be a very good venue. Durban’s chances are excellent. I am especially pleased about the athletes’ village. They will be very comfortable there. People here are also very friendly and the city is quite developed,” he said.
The delegation inspected the University of KwaZulu-Natal Westville campus squash courts and also visited the proposed athletes’ village at Cornubia before heading to the Queensmead Hockey Field.
Additional infrastructure will be built at the hockey field including another pitch as well as a new grandstand. Temporary seating will also be installed for the Games, with the venue accommodating 5 000 spectators. The new infrastructure will be part of the City’s lasting legacy programme which will remain after the Games.
Existing infrastructure such as the pitch and fencing will be refurbished.
Mayor James Nxumalo said the King Parks Athletics Stadium was not one the proposed venues but would be used as a warm-up venue for the competition.
“Together with the Moses Mabhida Stadium, both these facilities will enjoy new competition tracks as part of the planned upgrade valued at R40 million. The Kingsmead Hockey Stadium will receive an upgrade of R100 million for two new artificial hockey fields,” said Nxumalo.
The delegation also inspected Collegians where bowls will be played.
An announcement regarding the bid will be made at the Commonwealth Games Federation Annual General Assembly on Wednesday, 2 September 2015.
