BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, October 6th, 2011 (CUOPM) – The nations of the Commonwealth will know on Friday 11th November 2011 the venue for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The Communications Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister (CUOPM) has been informed that the name of the host country will be announced during the meeting of the Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly and the CANOC General Assembly at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.
Two countries bid to host the games, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia and Hambantota, Sri Lanka.
“The announcement will be made at 6 p.m. local time on November 11th 2011,” said the official at the Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly Local Organizing Committee.
The National Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Association President, Mr. Alphonso Bridgewater – who was accompanied by his Vice President Mr. Dennis Knight and Dr. Christine Walwyn/Chief Executive Director of the Local Organizing Committee paid a courtesy call on His Excellency, The Governor General, Sir Cuthbert Sebastian on Wednesday 5th October, 2011 at the Government House.
The SKNOC/CGA officials used the occasion to update His Excellency on the plans in place to host the prestigious General Assembly of Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committee (CANOC).
His Excellency, Sir Cuthbert Sebastian is expected to be a guest of honour at the Opening Ceremony scheduled at Brimstone Hill Fortress/National Park on Thursday 10th November, 2011.
The Opening Ceremony is scheduled to get started at 7:30pm and will also feature a Dinner and Cultural Presentation for the entertainment and pleasure of some 400 delegates, guests and officials.
The two countries that bid to host the games Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia and Hambantota, Sri Lanka.
Australia
Gold Coast, Queensland - On 22 August 2008, the Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh, officially launched the Gold Coast's bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2018. Ron Clarke, a medallist at both Commonwealth and Olympic Games and present Mayor of the Gold Coast, is expected to take a key role in promoting the bid.
On April 7, 2009, the ABC reported a land exchange deal between the City of Gold Coast and State of Queensland for Carrara Stadium. According to Mayor Ron Clarke the land will aid a potential bid for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The land exchanged would be used as the site of an aquatics centre. In the same article Mayor Clarke raised the question of the Australian Federal Government's commitment to a 2018 Commonwealth Games Bid in light of the Government's support for Australia's 2018 FIFA World Cup Finals bid.
On 16 April 2009, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh told reporters that a successful Commonwealth Games bid by the Gold Coast could help the tourist strip win a role in hosting the World Cup.[4] "Some of the infrastructure that would be built for the Commonwealth Games will be useful for the Gold Coast to get a World Cup game out of the soccer World Cup if we're successful as a nation," she said.
However the decision on the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups will come 11 months prior to the bid decision for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, so the potential World Cup venues will already have been chosen. On 3 June 2009, the Gold Coast was confirmed as Australia's exclusive bidder vying for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
"Should a bid proceed, the Gold Coast will have the exclusive Australian rights to bid as host city for 2018," Premier Anna Bligh stated. "Recently I met with the president and CEO of the Australian Commonwealth Games Association and we agreed to commission a full and comprehensive feasibility study into the potential for the 2018 Commonwealth Games," she said. "Under the stewardship of Queensland Events new chair, Mr. Geoff Dixon, that study is now well advanced."
On 15 March 2010, it was announced that the Queensland Government will provide initial funding of AU$11 million for the 2018 Commonwealth Games bid. The Premier of Queensland has indicated the Government's support for the bid to the Australian Commonwealth Games Association. On 31 March 2010, the Australian Commonwealth Games Association officially launched the bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Sri Lanka
Hambantota 2018 is one of two bids to stage the 2018 Commonwealth Games, first recognized by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) on March 31, 2010.
On March 31, 2010, a surprise bid was made for the 2018 Commonwealth Games by the Sri Lankan city of Hambantota. Hambantota was devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and there is a major face lift going in the city of Hambantota.
The first phase of the Port of Hambantota is nearing completion and it is funded by the government of China. The Mattala International Airport, which is the second international Airport of Sri Lanka is built close to Hambantota.
The bid for the commonwealth games is line with GOSL decision to develop Hambantota as a sports hub. Also a new Hambantota International Cricket Stadium has been built, and has hosted matches in the 2011 Cricket World Cup. If Sri Lanka wins the bid to host the games, it promises to have all the venues built by December 2016, with 2017 being used for test events.
All the venues would be clustered in the same area except a couple of venues.[9] Sri Lanka's recent win to stage the 2011 South Asian Beach Games and hosting of the 2011 Cricket World Cup in Hambantota, is said to strengthen the bid. On January 31, 2011 the logo was launched for the bid.
Hambantota has spent $2.3 million dollars on public relations for this bid. The firm Pmplegacy has been hired to do the work, which includes the 2008 Summer Olympics. The public relations drive is said to overshadowed the Gold Coast's pitch.
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