Durban loses bid to host Games

IT IS game over for Durban after the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) announced this week that the city would no longer host the 2022 Commonwealth Games because the city could not meet the obligations and commitments it had made regarding funding, governance, venues and risk management. Durban was awarded the bid to host the sporting event in September last year.

The city has faced a barrage of criticism since winning the bid with many questioning its ability to meet the financial requirement. When event organisers missed a number of submission deadlines with the CGF, doubt was placed on whether the city would be able to fulfill its host requirements.

The CGF’s President Louise Martin made a last ditch attempt to save the games for Durban when he visited President Jacob Zuma to persuade him to have government back the event, at an estimated cost of around R8 billion. However, with the South African government facing growing protests over the social grants controversy, Zuma apparently refused.

DA KZN leader, Zwakele Mncwango said the collapse of the bid meant that millions of rand had been wasted.

“This is a devastating blow to our city and our people. I will demand a full-scale investigation by the municipal public accounts committee,” he said.

Ward councillor, Chris Pappas said the news of the failed bid came as a relief. He said there were too many other problems and issues in the city that needed government’s attention.”

Poverty, crime, unemployment, declining business confidence, declining rates base, to name a few are issues we are faced with as a City, and while the Commonwealth Games would be a great event to host, the money should be used in better ways,” said Pappas.

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