Delegates from 21 African and Asian Commonwealth Games Federation member states visiting Durban to inspect the City’s value proposition to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022 seemed impressed that more than 80% of the infrastructure is already in place.
The delegates started with inspections of the Rachel Finlayson Pool and toured along Durban’s world-class 7 kilometre beachfront promenade on Thursday, 16 July 2015.
Most of the visitors were pleased that the vast majority of all facilities including nine of the 10 core sports are within a 2.5 kilometre radius making traveling in and around the area easy and convenient.
Thereafter, delegation proceeded to inspect the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium which is a multifunctional venue featuring additional sporting arenas, facilities and restaurants. The last inspection for the day was Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre and the Exhibition Centre where some of the temporary facilities will be put up for the 2022 Games.
On Friday, 17 July 2015, the tour continued and the Athletes Village in Cornubia near Umhlanga was inspected. The squash facilities at the University of KwaZulu-Natal Westville campus were also inspected.
Joan Smit from Namibia was pleased that one of the proposed venues for the 2022 Commonwealth Games is the local university.
“The fact that some Games will be played at the local university ties in very well with the 2022 Commonwealth Games theme that Durban is ready to inspire,” said Smit.
Commonwealth Games 2022 Bid Committee member Vusi Mazibuko said by hosting the Games, public infrastructure development will be fast-tracked, improving local facilities in general.
“Development for the Games synchronises with the City’s urban regeneration plans and the Athletes Village will be converted into residential housing after the Games and will be handed over to qualifying beneficiaries, most importantly young people will be empowered with specialist skills and knowledge,” he said.
To celebrate International Nelson Mandela Day on Saturday, 18 July 2015 some of the delegates helped the South African National Blood Services save a life and donated blood at the Durban Moses Mabhida Stadium.
The delegation then visited the late former president Nelson Mandela Capture Site in Howick to learn about the life of the struggle stalwart.
The last site to be inspected by the delegation was the Cascades Mountain Bike Park in Pietermaritzburg which is ranked third in the world.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu said the life story of Tata Madiba is indeed a lesson to the whole world of the resilience of the human spirit.
“Undoubtedly, hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2022 will assist in ensuring the promotion of the values of Madiba and that his ideals lives on among us. Importantly, as the provincial government we are cognisant of the contribution of the Commonwealth countries in the fight against apartheid,” said Mchunu.
Mayor James Nxumalo said most of the facilities where the 2022 Commonwealth Games will be staged are already in place and require minor upgrades to ensure that they meet international Commonwealth Games standards and will leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
“After visiting the various sites during the course of the week, we are confident that the delegates now have a holistic view of our world-class infrastructure and what they have seen confirms what we presented in our bid proposal in London,” said Nxumalo.
Durban Image: The Stadium