The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Evaluation Commission has completed its four-day visit of Hambantota, Sri Lanka, calling it a strong candidate for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Louise Martin, head of the evaluation commission said, “we have been impressed with the vision for Sri Lanka and Hambantota and now have a clear view of where the hosting of the Commonwealth Games could fit within that vision”.
Martin said, “overall, the proposal of staging the Commonwealth Games in Hambantota is an exciting one and given the development of the relevant infrastructure, will provide a unique Games experience for the athletes and other Games client groups”.
She added that the five member panel had been impressed with the vision held by local authorities to host the 2018 Games.
“As you would expect, more than seven years out, and with considerable additional work to be done in forming the final Games plan, there are some matters which simply cannot be, or do not need to be, known at this stage.
“That said, the foundations for a great Games are laid in the plans which are now being locked down by the governments, the bid team, and the Sri Lankan Commonwealth Games Association”.
She added, “the leadership shown by the national and district governments is impressive. The alignment of agencies around the national, regional and games vision is equally impressive”.
Martin said that it had been a fruitful visit to the country, with the day in Hambantota providing great insight to that region’s aspirations.
The commission is to release its report on Hambantota and the only other bid, Australia’s Gold Coast, by October 11, a month before the vote at the Federation’s General Assembly in St. Kitts and Nevis on November 11.