THE hosting of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Durban hangs in the balance after concerns have been expressed that national Treasury was holding back on signing financial guarantees to host the games.
According to media reports, nine months after being awarded the bid to host the Games, the South African government has not offered any financial guarantees or paid the first installment to the Commonwealth Games Federation. There are now fears that the interim committee is considering informing the Commonwealth Games Federation that no progress has been made, and advising the federation to look for another host for the Games.
It is believed that the inter-ministerial committee expected to head up a local organising committee and appoint staff for the games is yet to meet, despite calls for a meeting by the interim committee.
South Africa’s attitude towards hosting the Games will be put under the spotlight next week when the federation hosts its executive meeting in London. Without commitment from South Africa, the Games could be awarded to Sri Lanka.
Treasury spokesperson, Phumuza Macanda said the sports ministry should be taking the lead in facilitating the first payment to the federation and providing financial guarantees, which are to ensure that should there be any shortfalls, the government will come through with funding for the Games to continue.
The overall operating budget for the Games was initially R3.3 billion, of which R1.6 billion would go towards an athletes village and another R1 billion for team preparation over seven years.
EThekwini Speaker, Logie Naidoo, said the City would go ahead with infrastructure upgrades in preparation for the Games despite the uncertainties of Durban hosting the games.
