eThekwini Municipality - COMMONWEALTH GAMES DELEGATES FROM CARIBBEAN AND AMERICAS ARE IMPRESSED BY DURBAN’S READINESS TO HOST GAMES IN 2022 RSS eThekwini Municipality - COMMONWEALTH GAMES DELEGATES FROM CARIBBEAN AND AMERICAS ARE IMPRESSED BY DURBAN’S READINESS TO HOST GAMES IN 20222015-08-11 Durban’s chances of hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games are very good according to delegates from the Americas and Caribbean who were impressed by Durban’s preparedness to host the Games.
The delegation, from member Commonwealth Games Federation countries, are the third and final group to visit the city to inspect proposed venues for the Games. They visited a number of proposed sporting sites since their arrival on Tuesday, 4 August 2015, including the Rachel Finlayson Pool, Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban International Convention Centre and Durban Exhibition Centre. Commonwealth Games Canada President Richard Powers said Durban has earned his country’s vote. “I was surprised how far ahead the organisers have planned considering the Games are in 2022. There is already a lot of infrastructure in place so to make the Games happen, not a lot will have to be built. This minimises expenditure,†he said. Powers said Durban is a beautiful city and that he supported the bid 100%. “The planning committee have outdone themselves, everything has been perfect. My hat goes off to them. I think Durban’s chances are good. I am voting on behalf of Canada and Durban has my vote. Canada will be supporting their bid 100 percent,†he said. K.A. Juman-Yassin from Guyana in the Caribbean said Durban is fit to the host the Games. “It will be a very good venue. Durban’s chances are excellent. I am especially pleased about the athletes’ village. They will be very comfortable there. People here are also very friendly and the city is quite developed,†he said. The delegation on Friday, 7 August 2015, inspected the University of KwaZulu-Natal Westville campus squash courts. They also visited the proposed athletes’ village at Cornubia before heading to the Queensmead Hockey Field. Additional infrastructure will be built at the hockey field including another pitch as well as a new grandstand. Temporary seating will also be installed for the Games, with the venue accommodating 5 000 spectators. The new infrastructure will be part of the City’s lasting legacy programme which will remain after the Games. Existing infrastructure such as the pitch and fencing will be refurbished. Mayor James Nxumalo said the King Parks Athletics Stadium is not one the proposed venues but it will be used as a warm-up venue for the competition. “Together with the Moses Mabhida Stadium, both these facilities will enjoy new competition tracks as part of the planned upgrade valued at R40 million. The Kingsmead Hockey Stadium will receive an upgrade of R 100 million for two new artificial hockey fields,†said Nxumalo. The delegation also inspected Collegians where bowls will be played. They will on Saturday, 8 August 2015, go on a game drive and visit the Cascade Mountain Bike Park in Pietermaritzburg. An announcement regarding the bid will be made at the Commonwealth Games Federation Annual General Assembly on Wednesday, 2 September 2015. ENDS Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Communications Head, Tozi Mthethwa. For more information contact Gugu Mbonambi on 031 311 4855 or email:gugu.mbonambi@durban.gov.za or Princess Nkabane on 031 311 4818 or email: princess.nkabane@durban.gov.za |
eThekwini Municipality - COMMONWEALTH GAMES DELEGATES FROM CARIBBEAN AND AMERICAS ARE IMPRESSED BY DURBAN’S READINESS TO HOST GAMES IN 2022
Copyright © 2024 KwaZulu-Natal Top Business
