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Durban could lose right to host 2022 Commonwealth Games
Amongst the issues is the fact that there is still no local organising committee in place, more than a year after being announced as hosts. The deadline for establishing a LOC is 180 days from being awarded the Games.
moses mabhida stadium
The City of Ethekwini (Durban) needs to get its act together before the end of November or risk losing the right to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Durban was awarded the rights by default in 2015, after the only other bidder, Edmonton‚ Canada withdrew from the process in February 2015.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has now said that South Africa needs to start preparations or risk losing the right to host the Games.
CGF president Louise Martin said in a statement after the body’s annual general assembly in Edmonton on Friday: “As a first priority‚ the CGF membership resolved to continue to work with the South African Government and their partners to support and advise them on their first steps and initial obligations on the journey towards 2022.
“It is with humble appreciation that a number of Members‚ at our Annual General Assembly in Edmonton today‚ 7 October 2016‚ reaffirmed our positive commitment to realise our collective ambitions to host a Games in Durban‚ and in Africa for the first time ever.
“We all truly believe in the inspirational and impactful potential of a Games in Africa.
“However‚ we also appreciate that there are concerns about the current progress to plan. We are still six years out‚ so now is the time to reinforce our commitments in partnership with Durban – as we sincerely hope – or look at alternatives.
“To support this‚ a motion at today’s Assembly was therefore carried to firstly continue to support South Africa and Durban to achieve satisfactory resolution of all outstanding matters; or – as a last resort – to secure an alternate host‚ if outstanding matters are not resolved by 30th November 2016.”
Durban still does not have a Local Organising Committee and the South African government has not yet signed the host city contract or confirmed underwriting arrangements nor made any payments to the CGF.
A LOC was due to be established within 180 days of being awarded the rights to host the Games and a payment of R25 million was due to have been transferred to the CGF by now.
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