“We have demonstrated that we have what it takes to host a truly unique and successful 2018 Games. Together, we are looking forward to what we all hope will be a life-changing result that will mean so much to future generations”, Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Hambantota 2018 Organising Committee Co-Chairman and Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka said.
Governor Cabraal believes hosting the Games will see Sri Lanka stake claims for medals in the same way the country has done extraordinarily well in cricket. Admitted as a Test-plating nation in 1981, Sri Lanka won the World Cup just 15 years later (1996) and finished runners-up in both 2007 and earlier this year when Hambantota itself staged two matches with a global audience looking on.
It is now just 22 days until the host city is announced at the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) general assembly in St Kitts & Nevis on 11 November. That’s one day for every yard in length of a cricket pitch; and like its world famous batsmen the nation has been united in doing all it can to make every step count.
Praised by the CGF Evaluation Commission for being ‘visionary, exciting and unique’ and meeting every single technical requirement, it has gone on to wow delegations from the Caribbean & Americas, Africa, Europe, Oceania and Asia. With the result of its endeavours looming, the momentum is now behind a bid backed by an overwhelming 87 percent of the Sri Lankan population (99 percent in Hambantota itself).
Considered by some an outsider against Australia’s Gold Coast a year ago, Hambantota 2018 has since impressed with the calibre of what has been dubbed ‘the life-changing bid.’ The description reflects the myriad benefits it promises the unified nation and its people.
The host city will be announced at the CGF general assembly in St Kitts and Nevis on 11 November 2011.