Sri Lanka & Australia lodge bids for 2018 Commonwealth Games

[Lankan Ranger]

Sri Lanka & Australia lodge bids for 2018 Commonwealth Games

Australia's Gold Coast and Sri Lanka's Hambantota lodged their bid books Wednesday in the contest to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The two cities, which are the only contenders for the right to hold the event, both vowed to spend billions of dollars to build new accommodation, hotels and infrastructure to ensure successful Games.

Neither has previously hosted the Games, and both expressed optimism, saying they would be an opportunity to recover from natural disasters -- the deadly 2010 floods in Queensland and the 2004 tsunami in Hambantota.

The Gold Coast delegation for the submission to the Commonwealth Games Federation in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur included Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, while Hambantota's group included national sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamaga.

Hambantota bid committee co-chairman Ajith Nivard Cabraal said the Games would secure long-term and sustainable social and economic benefits for Sri Lanka with the government investing some 2.5 billion pounds (US$4.10 billion).

The event would enhance national unity following years of internal conflict, he added.

Gold Coast's bid chairman Mark Stockwell, a former international swimmer, said Australia would spend some A$1.7 billion (US$1.8 billion) for the games village and other expenses to ensure a strong Commonwealth Games.

"I am impressed by the Sri Lankan bid. We are in a competition and we will try to beat them," he said.

Inspections will take place before a final presentation by the two cities to the Commonwealth Games Federation general assembly in St Kitts and Nevis on November 11. Members will then vote and the winner will be declared.

Sri Lanka, Australia lodge 2018 bid books - LANKA BUSINESS ONLINE

 

[Mo12]

All of South Asia will want Sri Lanka to win

 

[Lankan Ranger]

Vice President of Commonwealth Games Federation, Tunku Imran (L) receives the candidate file next to Bid CEO and Organising Committee Member of Hambantota 2018, Nalin Attygalle (2nd L) and the 2018 Sri Lanka Commonwealth delegation during a presentation for their bid for candidate city for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, in Kuala Lumpur May 11, 2011.

 

[Roybot]

Hambantota has no chance, Gold Coast ftw

 

[mautkimaut]

Sri Lanka should host this time.. will be good for the sub continent.

best of luck to sri lankans

 

[xTra]

Wanted Sri Lanka, but sorry will go to Australia.

 

[Skyline]

Hambantota > Hambantota | Commonwealth Games 2018 candidate city | Sri Lanka

Gold Coast > http://www.goldcoast2018bid.com

 

[xdrive]

Sri Lanka is incapable of holding the games. India was a big risk to hold the games and had many problems along the way, but luckily it worked out perfectly. Sri Lanka is in a much worser state. It's not a very rich country, it's not very safe, and it hasn't been long since the civil war in the country ended. Australia is still getting boatloads of refugees pouring in from Sri Lanka.

 

[Gold1010]

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI OI OI

Interesting in Gold Coast not the biggest city but a very nice place.

PS-Check out the chocolate cafe there.

Looks like we'll have the 2015 asian cup.

 

[Roybot]

I think India sorta sabotaged the Lankan plan

After all that floods and cyclone, Queensland needs this.

 

[Gold1010]

Gold coast wasnt affected by the floods lol i should no i was there when it happened

 

[kingkobra]

i wish srilanka wins the bid

 

[Paan Singh]

i will support oz

 

[mautkimaut]

Sri Lanka all the way....

It is one of the most beautiful places on this planet..IT will be a great boost to tourism too

 

[Roybot]

Gold coast wasnt affected by the floods lol i should no i was there when it happened

I was talking about the economy of Queensland. With all the natural disasters, the tourism has taken a hit and local businesses are suffering. Its not like if people will come to Gold Coast for the games they won't go to anywhere else in QLD