Sri Lanka’s chances of hosting Commonwealth Games 2018 look bright

By Dinesh WEERAWANSA in St. Kitts and Nevis

COMMONWEALTH GAMES: It could well turn out to be a red letter day in the annals of Sri Lanka’s sports history when the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) votes to select the hosts of the 2018 Commonwealth Games on 1-11-11. Sri Lanka’s Southern City of Hambantota is expected to give a close fight to Australia’s Gold Coast when the Commonwealth sports officials meet in St. Kitts, Caribbean Islands on Friday.

Australia has hosted the Commonwealth Games three times before and will be looking forward to make it the fourth with a venue which already has the necessary infrastructure. But Hambabtota 2018 has put forward a strong bid, with a well-knit sports city which would be enriched with all modern sports facilities in the world and unmatched Sri Lankan hospitality.

The evaluation committee members of the CGF who toured Hambantota recently were impressed with the architectural view of the proposed sports city which guarantees stadia of international class. On the other hand, Hambantota 2018 bid has received a strong boost after President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s inspiring speech at Sports Breakfast hosted by Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on the sidelines of last week’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth.

While commending Australia’s contribution for the success of the Commonwealth Games, President Rajapaksa requested Commonwealth officials to give Sri Lanka a chance of hosting the Games as it would be a “life changing event” for millions of Sri Lankans.

Citing Malaysia as a classic example with the identical socio-economic indicators of Malaysia before hosting the 1998 Games and Sri Lanka at present, President Rajapaksa expressed confidence that Sri Lanka could too make that giant leap, if Hambantota hosts the 54-nation Games. He also highlighted another vital point which had won the hearts of CGF countries which had never hosted Commonwealth Games.

Nine countries have hosted Games

Despite the long history of the Games only nine countries have hosted the Games so far and the President said the success of Hambantota 2018 would inspire over 45 nations who have never hosted the Games. The President’s speech received an overwhelming support from the audience. Australia’s premier news agency, the Australian Associated Press (AAP) said that the “Sri Lankan President has out-manoeuvered Prime Minister Julia Gillard” over duelling bids for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

In a news dispatch from the Western Australian capital titled, “Sri Lanka outflanks Gillard on Games bid”, the AAP said that “President Rajapaksa, whose country is also hosting the next CHOGM in 2013, used his 10-minute speech to make a concerted pitch on behalf of his nation”.

Lanka’s bid gathers momentum

Though the Hambantota 2018 bid attracted support of only a few nations at the beginning, it has now gathered momentum, with guaranteed support of more than half of the votes that is needed to secure the right to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games. As a great promoter of sports under whose period Sri Lanka sport has gone from strength to strength, President Rajapaksa has been in the forefront of making Sri Lanka a prominent destination in the world sports map. Thanks to the keen interests shown by parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, hosting World Cup matches in Hambantota became a reality this year.

Similarly, his dream of hosting the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Hambantota could well become a reality.

Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage and the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Ajith Nivard Cabraal, the co-chairmen of the Hambantota 2018 Bid Committee have teamed up effectively to keep Sri Lanka’s chances alive. President of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka Hemasiri Fernando has extended his fullest support.

Lankan contingent in St. Kitts

Sri Lanka’s contingent for the Commonwealth Games Federation is scheduled to arrive in St. Kitts today. It will be a representation of various fields, including the present sports stars and of yesteryear.

Sri Lanka’s star cricketer and world record holder for most number of Test and one day international wickets, Muttiah Muralitharan will be the star attraction and is expected to make an inspiring speech in St. Kitts in support of Hambantota 2018 Bid.

Presence of former Sri Lanka captain and ex-Chairman of Selectors Aravinda de Silva too would add weight to the Sri Lanka contingent that would fly to the Caribbean to attend the CGF meeting and to do last minute lobbying. Famous actress cum beauty queen turned politician Anarkali Aakarsha and 2010 Miss Sri Lanka for Miss Universe Stefani Siriwardena would add colour to the Lankan contingent, along with former Commonwealth Games silver medallist, hurdler Sriyani Kulawansa.

The chance of making the first presentation at Friday’s crucial Commonwealth Games Federation meeting has been secured by Sri Lanka through a lucky draw. After Sri Lanka’s 30-minute presentation, the Cold Coast would make their presentation of a similar duration. The 71 members of the CGF would then go for an electronic voting to decide the host city of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.