BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ST. KITTS AND NEVIS is scheduled to host the Commonwealth Games Federation Assembly Meeting from November 5 to 12, 2011, and, from all indications, the host country is making progressive strides with its preparations.
The Federation had won the right to host the General Assembly from an initial field of four - Barbados, Kenya, and Northern Ireland - and the final selection was made in New Delhi, India, in November 2009.
Speaking with SKNVibes, CEO of the Olympic Steering Committee Christine Walwyn disclosed that the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) had expressed its satisfaction with the progress made by St. Kitts and Nevis with preparations for the event.
“The good news is that we’ve been told by the (CGF) that St. Kitts is ahead of plans. We have been doing reasonable well in terms of organising, and I think it’s because we are accustomed to hosting events of this caliber. It has become almost like a routine,” Walwyn stated.
In March, 2010, Marketing and Projects Manager for the CGF, Rachel Simon visited St. Kitts to ensure that adequate personnel were recruited to oversee the areas of ‘meet and greet’ services at the airport for visiting delegates, media space allocations, the conveyance of guests from and to the airport, and transportation throughout the event, in addition to resolving immigration issues, customs concerns and visa accreditations.
According to Walwyn, “all those requirements were met”.
One of the major highlights for this meeting will be the bidding of the two cities vying for the right to host the 21st Commonwealth Games to be held in 2018.
“The two cities bidding to host the games are Gold Coast in Australia and the Sri Lankan city of Hambantota. The winning bid will be broadcast live via satellite link on Friday, November 25, 2011,” the CEO explained.
Each city will now build their candidature in the hope of being selected as the 2018 host city by the CGF General Assembly, consisting of representatives of all 71 member nations and territories, when they meet here in November.
“The bid cities will be on island in September to start their promotions to convince persons to cast their vote for them,” Walwyn added.
The Commonwealth Games Federation is the organisation responsible for the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games, which is a world class, multi-sports event held once every four years.
“Although the assembly will be held at the St. Kitts Marriott, the opening ceremony will take place at the Brimstone Hill Fortress,” Walwyn told this media house.
