WITH the official announcement confirming Durban as host of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Bluffites can look forward to playing host themselves as the shooting competition heads their way.
Following an unanimous vote, the announcement was made from Auckland this morning. Durban was given the go ahead to host the games, which are expected to bring much-needed tourism and money to the area.
The Bluff is expected to benefit from these games too with ranges being built on the military base to host the shooting portion of the competition.
Also in the South Durban Basin, the M4 will be used for cycling and time trials and the athletics marathon and the harbour will be the site for some of the cycling and triathlon competition,s along with the Durban beachfront.
The venues listed on the Durban-2022 website are mainly focussed around the Moses Mabhida Stadium and include, among others, the Kings Park Pool, Kings Park Stadium, Kingsmead Cricket Oval, Durban ICC, UKZN, Queensmead and uShaka.
“We will be hosting these games on behalf of the African continent which is about one billion people. It is history in the making, as these games will be coming to the African continent for the first time. South Africa is under reconstruction and development, as we are building this new country which is non-racial, non-sexist and democratic,” said eThekwini mayor, Councillor James Nxumalo after the announcement was made.
According to eThekwini Municipality, 80 percent of the facilities required for the games already exist.
“The real work starts now and there is a lot to be done for the next seven years. The upgrades of our facilities are in our current plans such as the building of the athletics village, which is part of the 2030 housing requirements. We have budgeted R6.5-billion and that is what we will spend over the coming years,” said Durban 2022 Commonwealth Games bid committee chairman, Mark Alexander.
President of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee, Gideon Sam added: “I stand before you today an extremely proud South African. We are ready to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games for the very first time on African soil, in Durban South Africa in 2022.”
