Gold Coast having edge over H’tota?

9 September 2011 02:00 am - 32 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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While the tussle for the venue of the 2018 Commonwealth Games bid is intensifying, Australia’s Gold Coast appears to be having an edge over the Hambantota venue for the Games, according to the latest evaluation report released by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) yesterday.

The CGF has released its review on the bids of both cities ahead of the November vote to decide who will host the Games. The evaluation commission report said the Gold Coast venue had demonstrated a thorough understanding of the games’ requirements for medical and health, Commonwealth Games village, sport and venues, finance, customs and immigration formalities, security, media operations etc.,

But commenting on the Hambantota venue on the above factors, the commission said the venue has demonstrated ‘appropriate’ or ‘reasonable’ capacities in terms of the games’ requirements, “The evaluation commission is of the view that, at this time and based on currently available information, a games staged in the Gold Coast presents a low risk, subject to village development arrangements being secured, while a games in Hambantota presents a medium to high risk,” it said.

Commenting on the security aspect, the report said, “The security risk in Hambantota is considered to be low overall. The threat of domestic terrorism is also low, having declined considerably since the military defeat of the LTTE in 2009. However the risk of international terrorism is recognised and Sri Lanka will take necessary national and international measures to identify and disrupt any potential risks to the games.”

Hambantota will need to build US$1.1 billion worth of facilities to host the Games, and substantial upgrades to its hospitals, the transport system and telecommunications infrastructure will be needed, the report said.

Finally in on overall comment, it said, “The Gold Coast presents an attractive destination in which to stage the Commonwealth Games complemented by the local and the Gold Coast airport, which also accommodates some international flights.”

“Hambantota presents an exciting opportunity for the Commonwealth Games to assist in the development of the city and country in a substantial manner creating an impact. The proposition could provide a blueprint for other Commonwealth nations,” it added.

The report also says that the commission “believes the overarching consideration that differentiates the two projects is the matter of risk.”

The 2018 Games host will be announced on November 11 after a vote from the 71 Commonwealth delegates. (Sunil Jayasiri)

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Comments - 32

Saman Angulana Friday, 09 September 2011 08:56 AM

Jodie & Manujer Well said. Hats off.......Very True....

hindu ram Monday, 12 September 2011 02:59 AM

one language and one religion as well

Amen Sunday, 11 September 2011 07:47 AM

As I said before... Ignorance is bliss!!! you need to be a little more informed before you comment citizen..

Amen Sunday, 11 September 2011 07:44 AM

Jodie.. I agree with you completely.. For some reason most people like the CITIZEN who has replied to your comment think that we can host such a game and that having these games will bost our economy.. I guess ignorance is bliss.. or being completely misinformed. SL is WELL KNOWN for it's tourist attraction we do not need to host a CWG for marketing, it is only gonna leave with huge deficit & that being carried through to us and our children. Stop day dreaming people be realistic!!!

Mishra Saturday, 10 September 2011 08:37 AM

Looks like you only read Lake House papers...

alex Saturday, 10 September 2011 07:41 AM

Dear Citizen,
Its good to be Patriotic but its better still not to live in a fools paradise. Considering the living conditions of our people if you travel into he country and see how the poor villages are trying to eke out a living you will you will be crying out loud at the injustice being meted out to them.Sitting at the computer and reading and seeing govt news items is not the whole truth!The billions being spent to glorify the dynasty could be well spent on these poor families. At least a roof over their heads.

Citizen Saturday, 10 September 2011 07:13 AM

If we could host the game, our country can get more attention in international stage and will have more foreign investments. If such thing happens we can pay back all the debts.

Citizen Saturday, 10 September 2011 07:10 AM

I haven't read any report or article that we suffered LOSS in hosting cricket world cup.. can you give me the source of you baseless statement?

Citizen Saturday, 10 September 2011 07:13 AM

Winning the bid brings more attention to Sri Lanka and more foreign investments, which helps the economy grow and we can pay back all the debts. Hope we get the bid..
What makes you think we can't afford it?? You as a good citizen pay your taxes correctly and encourage good things like this to happen in our country..

Yuri Saturday, 10 September 2011 04:40 AM

are you dreaming

Yuri Saturday, 10 September 2011 04:46 AM

Colombo Vs Hambantota

Rajasinghe Saturday, 10 September 2011 03:18 AM

Whether we get it or not some lucky people have already been benefited, I presume.

George De Silva Saturday, 10 September 2011 03:14 AM

Thats the spirit I love!

apasupathy Saturday, 10 September 2011 02:43 AM

Compared to Gold coast Hambantota is a peanut. GosL has to develop so many infrastructure facilities to stage an international game competition. Gold coast is a fantastic place. Hambatota is a small town, Gold coast is a masive place. Srilankan authorities should visit there,

V. Puran Appu Saturday, 10 September 2011 12:45 AM

Sporting events usually turns out to be a net loss!

so better Gold Coast have it.

Ryan Friday, 09 September 2011 02:29 AM

Whatever it is, dont stop Hambantota development programme.

Dr Dre Friday, 09 September 2011 08:26 AM

The mismanagement of the Cricket World Cup shows how a corrupt and unprofessional team can ruin what could be a golden opportunity. Sri Lanka is the only country in the history of cricket world cups to make a LOSS after hosting it.
Do you think the country would gain ANYTHING by hosting the Commonwealth games if it will be done in the same manner as the world cup?

Paul Friday, 09 September 2011 07:37 AM

Well Said Jodie I appreciate your Comments, we also should take into consider Hambanthota is not Sri Lanka and there are so many underdeveloped place in SL needs attention.

Minister Friday, 09 September 2011 07:06 AM

Why aren't we better than Gold Coast? Give us the reasons, so that we can debate it in our Parliament!

Jodie Windenburg Friday, 09 September 2011 06:53 AM

I am loving the idea of Hambanthota not getting the CW games for 2 reasons. Please think out loud before you shoot me down.
1. We cannot afford it - Greece is suffering economically after the Olympics so will we SL.
2. The proposed complex will destroy so many hectares of forrest land and Elephant / wild life habitat. SL cannot afford to loose wildlife and land meant for them any further and furhter, these infra will be of no use afterwards.

I ifact suggest that we petition for CWG not to be granted to Sri Lanka due to these concerns.

Managala Friday, 09 September 2011 06:44 AM

Development should continue every where in the country irrespective of the games

Dave Friday, 09 September 2011 06:41 AM

I totally agree that the present development plans should go on
as what I saw recently was very good.

Managala Friday, 09 September 2011 06:15 AM

Of Course There is potential Edge for Gold Cost but it does not limit our rights to contest for such big games festival because we are small .common wealth games committe had the respect and honour for the country they are professionals more than Sri Lankans who do not respect or love to see such thing happens in Sri Lanka...

Managala Friday, 09 September 2011 06:11 AM

Thing we did not do for past 63 years could not be done in overnight we could have develop whole country by now if had right political leadership all the time it is sad that we could not host this games that is unfortunate nature of Sri Lanka and The Pesisimistic mind set of Sri Lankans...

Manujer Friday, 09 September 2011 05:47 AM

Spend for the welfare of poor people, universities, etc. rather than wasting money on one occasion of a few days.

WD Friday, 09 September 2011 05:38 AM

Better to devolope Hambanthota or Colombo aiming futur games. It's understood Hambanthota has to do lot of work to provide internationel level facilities. no proper medical facilities, No prooper transport system. no railway connections. We have to start Bullet train service from Colomb -Hambanthota.

willowsw Friday, 09 September 2011 05:32 AM

at least we can sleep peacefully no more debts for future generations to come??

Hassan Friday, 09 September 2011 05:25 AM

What ever happen to our bid in games we are One country One Nation we are SRI LANKA.

jack Friday, 09 September 2011 04:50 AM

Dont you think it is too early to spend a such a massive amount of money for sports facilities as many development programs are on the way.....

Saman Angulana Friday, 09 September 2011 04:35 AM

Obviously it has an Edge. Which fool will think we gonna get it. The've been gentle to consider us :-) thats all to make us happy for a while.

victoria Friday, 09 September 2011 02:44 AM

So the country could save $1.1 billion and settle all debts to China??

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Gold Coast having edge over H’tota?

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