African boost for Hambantota bid
Sri Lanka's growing hopes to stage the 2018 Commonwealth Games could
receive another boost with the arrival of an African delegation that
will find common ground with what has been dubbed 'the life-changing
bid'.
The visit is the second in a series of regional inward missions by
Commonwealth members ahead of the vote to decide the host city,Coast
week reported.
The 'island jewel of the Indian ocean' is vying to become only the
10th country to host the Games in its 80-year history.Following praise
from the Caribbean in July, Hambantota 2018 now hopes for support from a
region that shares its sporting ambitions.
Like Sri Lanka, no African nation has hosted the Commonwealth Games.
Yet, after the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the importance of
major events on the continent has gained much attention.
Hambantota 2018 Organising Committee Co-Chairman and Governor of the
Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Ajith Nivard Cabraal said: "Africa shares our
vision for life-changing sport. Sport can be transformational,
especially for children and young people. And a prudent approach to
bidding for and hosting major events can be the catalyst for sustainable
social and economic development.
"We think there are clear synergies in how we are harnessing the
power of sport to build a better tomorrow for our people."
Earlier this year the Hambantota bid unveiled its legacy plan:
'Enhancing Lives and Transforming a Nation'.
It outlined how the nation will harness the power of sport and the
benefits of becoming a host city across four inter-related legacy themes
- sport, society, environment and economy.
Sri Lanka hopes Africa's 19th Commonwealth nations will have a hand
in its 2018 success.
Hambantota 2018 welcomes inward missions from Europe and Oceania next
month before that from Asia in October.
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