SRI LANKA has submitted its bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Hambantota, a fast-developing coastal city in the country’s south coast region, worst hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004.
A delegation from Sri Lanka yesterday presented the Hambantota 2018 Bid Book to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) in Kuala Lumpur. The book, or candidature file, details a proposal that could prove to be an important one for the country, following the end of civil war in 2009.
The Games are seen as a catalyst for sport, tourism and sustainable economic, social and cultural development.
“The Hambantota 2018 Games will secure long-term and sustainable social and economic benefits, and drive sustainable development throughout our country,” said Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Hambantota 2018 Organising Committee co-chairman and governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
“We are not adapting existing facilities, but creating brand-new state-of-the-art venues. We have already started work on our wonderful new host venue, the adjacent international airport and new road system.”
Over 90 per cent of the training and competition venues will be clustered together in the futuristic Sports City, which promises tailor-made facilities all within five minutes of the Athletes Village. The project is already under construction, and together with accompanying infrastructure including a high-capacity public transport system, will be ready by 2016.
The CGF Evaluation Commission will visit Hambantota in June to assess the city’s capability to host the Games. The CGF will choose the host city for the Games at its meeting in St Kitts and Nevis on November 11.
