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.