Sri Lanka hopes for 'clean game' in Commonwealth bid

[Lankan Ranger]

Sri Lanka hopes for 'clean game' in Commonwealth bid

Sri Lanka hopes the Commonwealth Games Federation Evaluation Commission considering its bid to host the games would play a 'clean game' in making the selection.

The Sri Lankan government wants to hold the event in a new city and much infrastructure development is underway in Hambantota, he told a news conference at the end of a four-day visit by the Commonwealth Games Federation Evaluation Commission.

The commission is to vote in November to chose either Australia's Gold Coast or Hambantota in Sri Lanka which are bidding to the host the games.

Asked how he views international political efforts to scuttle Sri Lanka's bid to host the games, Rajapaksa replied:

"It is up to them (Games Federation Evaluation Commission) to play a clean game. We hope they will consider in their vote who needs this game more," he said.

"At the end of the day, it's sports - so let's play a clean game."

Evaluation Commission chairman Louise Martin said her team had been impressed with the work being done to host the 2018 Games.

Rajapakse, a son of Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa, said huge investments were being made in modernising basic infrastructure like roads, ports and airports.

The new Games city is being built in between a new port and an international airport coming up in Hambantota.

"That's why we decided to chose Hambantota district. A key reason was that we want to take development out of Colombo by developing a new city matching international standards and ensuring the rural economy is developed."

The new airport being built in Mattala would provide the required air access needed to host an event of international significance.

A cricket stadium already built is to be expanded to accommodate 60,000 spectators, up from 40,000 now.

A new athletics stadium accommodating 60,000 people is to be built along with a velodrome for cycling, a swimming complex, hockey and football pitches, and several high-rise accommodation blocks.

Most investments in the projects would be from the private sector, Rajapaksa said.

Sri Lanka hopes for 'clean game' in C'wealth bid - LANKA BUSINESS ONLINE

 

[Lankan Ranger]

 

[Masterchief]

Best of luck to sri lanka, hope they showcase the best games ever.

 

[Lankan Ranger]

Ready by 2016

Fast developing Hambantota is fully ready to offer the best quality for the commonwealth games competition and overcome even the toughest challenges on the run- up to Commonwealth Games in 2018.

Hambantota has already got assurances from many sponsors and supporting nations endorsing our bid and has full confidence in delivering everything that is required by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), whether it is providing sports facilities, sponsorships, media facilities and all the best quality facilities required by commonwealth sports men and women.

Sri Lanka has begun to set out for the socio-economic development at a greater pace with deeper confidence. The peace and stable political climate, needless to say, acts as a catalyst for unhindered growth. The ambitious development projects of the government all aim to make Sri Lanka the centre of excellence in Asia.

The journey to Commonwealth Games in 2018 will, therefore, be full of exciting developments. The pinnacle of glory will no doubt be playing host to the Commonwealth Games in 2018.

Hambantota

Drawing up a master plan for the development of Hambantota district, the government started mobilizing resources to accelerate the project. And Hambantota started to rise against all the odds.

In the wake of the development drive, more and more employment opportunities are created, and living standards of the people improved. The international harbour in Hambantota and the international airport in Mattala are the biggest development projects underway at the moment. Already, Hambantota is beginning to attract plenty of both local and foreign investment.

At the current pace of development, by 2018, Hambantota will become a vibrant commercial hub. Against this background, Hambantota`s bid to host Commonwealth Games in 2018 is very likely to be accepted.

Hambantota International Sports Hub (HISH)

In early 2009, Namal Rajapaksa, Chairman, 'Tharunnyata Hetak Foundation' and now Member of Parliament for Hambantota District, put forward the idea of creating a sports village in Hambantota alongside other major infrastructure developments that were taking place. The Hambantota International Sports Hub (HiSH) will consist of the following sports utilities:

Sports Business Enterprise Park

Athletics Stadium

Warm Weather Training Facility

Cycling Development Centre

IT Park

Hockey Centre

18 Hole Golf course

National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship

International Centre for Tourism

Squash Centre

Aquatics Centre

Rugby & Football Development facilities

Multi Sports Halls

State-of-the-art Media Centres

These facilities, no doubt, will be the best in the world of sports. All the sportspersons participating in the Games will find it tailor-made to suit their specific sporting requirements. This sports complex will be instrumental for Hambantota in winning the bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2018.

The international Cricket Stadium in Hambantota is nearing completion and will host the semi-final of World Cup. This too is a splendid opportunity for Hambantota to build an international reputation and strengthen Hambantota`s chances of winning the bid to host Commonwealth Games in 2018.

Infrastructure Development

The infrastructure development in the region of Hambantota is in full swing. The power grids are being extended and the road network improved. Communication infrastructure is being rapidly developed. Also, there are programmes to develop important sectors such as Health and Education. This infrastructure development also is an important part of the journey towards 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Development of Accommodation facilities

Reputed entrepreneurs in the hospitality industry are investing substantially in hotels and resorts in Hambantota. By 2016, Hambantota will boast a cluster of world-class hotels and resorts providing superior catering services and accommodation facilities hallmarked by the fabled Sri Lankan hospitality.

In the Southern coastal strip, the tourists will be delighted to find the sandy beaches lapped by turquoise blue waters and fringed with coconut trees. Staying in Hambantota will be an exhilarating experience for them, adding to their delight at watching the Commonwealth Games.

Tailor-made for Commonwealth Games

The simultaneous development of residential facilities, infrastructure, economic nerve centres and world-class sports-utilities will make Hambantota the ideal host city for Commonwealth Games in 2018. At the current pace of development, by 2018, Hambantota will be one of the most developed cities in Asia. For sure, it will savour the glory of hosting Commonwealth Games in 2018.

A Futuristic City

There are plans and programmes - some being weighed and others being already implemented - to make Hambantota a Futuristic City by 2018 or even before that. And Commonwealth Games 2018 will be held in a green city abounding with skyscrapers, expressways, sophisticated sports facilities, IT parks, and superior accommodation facilities. Today, as a matter of fact, in Hambantota, future is already being created!

 

[Lankan Ranger]

Games Legacy

As a Games legacy, the Sports City concept will provide a vibrant, mixed-use area that benefits the local population, Sri Lanka and international visitors.

All of the sporting infrastructure will be retained to serve the local population and the new sports university to be located on-site, taking advantage of both the sporting facilities and the Games Village residential accommodation.

Sports City will also provide a new exciting hub for developing elite sportsmen and women in Sri Lanka's priority sports of athletics, aquatics, badminton, boxing, netball, rugby and weightlifting.

The competition venues for several sports have been purposefully designed to deliver wider, non-sporting legacy benefits to the District, such as a new Exhibition Centre and new Main Arena for entertainment and events.

Legacy benefits at the heart of the bid

The Games will be a catalyst for physical, social, economic and sporting regeneration.

Hambantota's city infrastructure and Games-time infrastructure plans are being developed 'hand in hand' to provide innovative urban design incorporating best practice transport planning, energy and water provision and development practices.

All the venues have been designed with a clear legacy brief to provide sustainable venues for the local and regional population to enjoy for many years to come.

The venues will play a key role in the delivery of the Ministry of Sports new seven-year Strategic Plan. There is a strong focus on developing education and youth in both Hambantota's long term plans and the Games legacy plan, to address many of the social issues faced by this part of Sri Lanka as it recovers from the devastation of the tsunami.

A new, compact 'Sports City'

The Games Park concept provides a unique Games-time venue offer with one of the most compact designs ever seen at a Commonwealth Games.

This concept will ensure short, easy travel times, providing athletes with a 'hassle free' experience to help maximize performances.

In legacy mode, the Games Park will become a Sports City, with fully accessible venues for post-Games use by the University, the local and regional community. This will support increased levels of sporting participation, and the all important development of an increased number of elite athletes and the retention of talent within Sri Lanka currently lost to educational establishments overseas.

These are all key objectives within the seven-year Strategic Plan. This sporting infrastructure will also support Hambantota's aspirations to become an 'Events City' with a track record of delivering highly successful sports events at a local, regional, national and international level.

These events will help Sports City become 'a new venue for world sport' combining events with warm-weather training camps, sports academies and on-site expertise in coaching, sports administration, venue management, marketing and hospitality management.

 

[Lankan Ranger]

 

[Lankan Ranger]

Evaluation Committee highly impressed

Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Evaluation Committee Ms Louise Martin addressing a media briefing before their departure said that she was highly impressed with the ongoing plans for the Hambantota 2018 Commonwealth Games.

She said that during their four-day visit had a thorough inspection of the venues and the environment of the proposed Games village. The plans showed a highly purposeful arrangement for the mega event what the country is expecting. It gives a pleasure to visit an area that is developing rapidly with the Games expectations. She also said that bid is forwarded in an excellent and brilliant manner to please each and everyone.

In the same way the Organizing Committee has taken great pains in forwarding a beautiful model to give a clear direction of the Games Village and other areas which come under their purview. All this leads to highly successful preparation for the hosting of the Games. We are also highly impressed with the amount of work that has taken place up to now.

It is our duty only to submit the evaluation report to the Commonwealth Games General Assembly for its consideration. Answering a question she further said that the bid has submitted some time ago and as there is a another contender it has become competition and the final decision will be decided on a vote.

She said internal politics is not considered when analyzing the bid for the Commonwealth Games bid. It is a matter completely out of the question as this is a sporting event. It is not a matter that does not come under our purview, said Ms Martin.

She thanked the Organizing Committee for the excellent support extended during their evaluation tour which lasted four days stay in Sri Lanka.

Commonwealth Games Federation Chief Executive Officer Mike Hooper speaking, said that he was here a few months back and visited the Hambantota and was surprised to see the rapid progress made during these few months. Adding further said the construction work of the Mattala Air Port and the completed Hambantota Harbour gives lot of encouragement for visitors.

These matters a lot for the benefit of the people of the area. As this is a project that is meant to develop the area with many other projects such as tourism and sports. This development work which has already commenced proves the fact Sri Lanka is well ahead of their target to host the Games in 2018. He too paid a glowing tribute to the organizing committee for a job well done up to this stage.

Minister of Sports addressing said that Sri Lanka submitted its Games Bid few months back and they are confident of winning the Bid ahead of Gold Coast, Australia. We are sure to win this Bid as we have already kept to the right timetable and as planned and hope to complete all projects before schedule.

He added that under the blessings and guidance from the President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa the country is to benefit immensely in many ways. The development work commenced along with the Games Village has already helped the masses of the area. Their day-to-day life too has seen a rapid growth with the finalizing of the Games Bid for Hambantota.

Governor of the Central Bank and Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Bid Organizing Committee Ajith Nivard Cabraal speaking, said that the Hambantota Games will benefit the country in many aspects. It has the potential to attract tourists while promoting sports in the country.

This Games Bid which was a brainchild of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa and undertaken by the Organizing Committee has already reaped heavy dividends. The enthusiasm shown by the masses of this country for this mega project too is a great achievement for us, said the Governor.

He thanked the Delegation of the Evaluation Committee headed by its Chairperson Ms. Louise Martin for the encouraging words expressed by her during the speech. Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa who was present at the media briefing said that Hambantota was selected for the Games Village as the District caters to many parts in the country as it also had required amount of land space. It is the duty of the government to develop under privileged areas.

With this sort of mega events planned properly could be of vital importance for the betterment of the area. With many other development projects in progress in the area the organizers thought it fitting to have Hambantota as the venue for the Commonwealth Games.

This Games arrival to Hambantota will also give the masses an opportunity to give off their best for the area as well as for the country at large.

Sri Lanka Sports News | Online edition of Daily News - Lakehouse Newspapers

 

[Roybot]

Gold Coast FTW

 

[Tiki Tam Tam]

There is nothing clean in modern sports.

There is too much of money involved!