Durban to host 2022 Commonwealth Games
The South African city of Durban was on Wednesday chosen as the host city for the 2022 Commonwealth Games at the Federation's general assembly in New Zealand, becoming the first African nation to host the event.
The 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth Games Federation made the decision unanimously.
Durban was the only bidder for the event, after the Canadian city of Edmonton dropped out from the race in February, citing oil price-related financial concerns.
The XXII Commonwealth Games are unanimously awarded to the South African city of Durban #CGFAssembly #Durban2022
— Commonwealth Games (@thecgf) September 2, 2015
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome the South African city of Durban as proud hosts of the 22nd Commonwealth Games,” the outgoing CGF president Prince Tunku Imran said.
“As a movement we stand together to support the very first games on African soil.”
Chairman of the Durban 2022 Bid Committee, Mark Alexander, said the bid to host the Games will accelerate the progress the city is making in construction and development, fast-tracking economic growth in the country.
Although the initial price tag for hosting was around R3.4bn, the city is prepared to spend around R2bn and expects an income of up to R5.8bn
The games are scheduled to start on 18 July 2022, marking the birthday of South Africa's first black president Nelson Mandela, who passed away in 2013.
The next Commonwealth Games will be held at Australia's Gold Coast in 2018.
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