Sri Lankan delegation arrives in Caribbean to lobby for 2018 Commonwealth Games

Kitts and Nevis: The Sri Lankan delegation lobbying to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games has arrived in the Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis ahead of the crucial voting process to select the hosting city.

The 60-strong delegation comprising the Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Hambanthota district parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, former cricketers Aravinda de Silva and Muttiah Muralitharan, former sprinter Sriyani Kulawansa, business leaders and artists will participate in the Commonwealth conference that began today.

The vote from the 71 Commonwealth nations and territories is to take place on Friday (November 11) to decide whether it is Hambanthota or Gold Coast of Australia, the only other bidder, will be hosting the 2018 games.

The Gold Coast Premier, Anna Bligh, has said that the selection of the 2018 Commonwealth Games host could go either way and her bid team is preparing for a nail-biting final week of lobbying.

Sri Lanka’s Organizing Committee Co-Chairman of Hambantota 2018, Ajith Nivard Cabraal has said that if won, the 2018 Games will secure long-term social and economic benefits and drive sustainable development throughout the island nation.

“It will make such a difference to the lives of young people in Sri Lanka and deliver a legacy with huge benefits for future generations. But it will also be life-changing for our friends throughout the Commonwealth,” Cabraal has said.

The Central Bank governor has expressed hope that winning Hambantota 2018 bid will also give huge encouragement to the other 61 nations that have never hosted the Games and may wish to do so.

The Sri Lankan delegation is reportedly optimistic that Sri Lanka would win the right to host the 2018 Games.

Sri Lanka has implemented a rapid development plan to transform the Southern port city to a strategic hub for tourism and commercial development.

Several major infrastructure projects are already underway including the construction of a second international airport serving both domestic and international flights and scheduled to be opened next year.

The government has also announced a free public transport system for the spectators arriving at the venue for the games and hopes to procure 1000 luxury buses to provide the park and ride services.