The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) has confirmed that it is not yet considering a bid for the 2024 Olympic Games as it has committed its resources to winning the bid for Durban 2022 and would require further information from the IOC before considering an Olympic bid.

“The bidding process for the CWG requires enormous time, dedication and resources in order for one to put forward a successful bid,” said SASCOC in a statement on Wednesday.

“With our focus solely on delivering the games to the city of Durban, the Board of SASCOC will not be diverted from this mission.”

HOST CITY reported on Monday that a bid for the Olympic Games incorporating cities all over South Africa was being contemplated. This would be made possible through the IOC’s recent Agenda 2020 changes to bidding procedure. 

SASCOC was not able to verify this when contacted by HOST CITY on Monday. 

Shortly after the publication of this report, which was picked up on by various other media, SASCOC issued a statement saying that they were being inundated with queries from media on whether SASCOC is intending to bid to host the 2024 Olympic Games. 

“An Olympic bid is not currently under consideration,” SASCOC confirmed.

“The Board of SASCOC is at this time fully committed to bidding for the Commonwealth Games in 2022. The first step is to win the bid and then to deliver a successful Games,” said Tubby Reddy, CEO of SASCOC.

“The Board has not received any notification or correspondence from the International Olympic Committee with regard to the bidding process for the 2024 Olympic Games. Therefore, the issue of South Africa bidding for the 2024 Olympic Games does not arise.

“Once this communiqué is received, the SASCOC Board will engage with Honourable Minister Fikile Mbalula and National Government on whether one is going to consider an Olympic Games bid in 2024.”

In support of Durban’s bid for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, SASCOC exhibited at HOST CITY Bid to Win conference in October, which attracted an extremely high level of speakers and delegates including David Grevemberg, CEO of the Commonwealth Games Federation. 

Durban faces strong competition from Edmonton in its bid to host the Commonwealth Games. 

“Winning the bid for the CWG will be very significant for the City of Durban, especially as the other city is Edmonton, Canada,” said Reddy. 

“Canada has already hosted the Games four times. We are seriously focused on the prize of winning the bid and we will not be distracted by other issues that have not been sanctioned by the SASCOC Board.”

The host city of the 2022 Commonwealth Games will be elected on 2 September 2015.

SASCOC has until 15 September 2015 to define its applicant for the 2024 Olympic Games. 

The South African city of Durban and the Canadian city of Edmonton are the only two cities in contention for the 2022 edition of the Games after a series of cancelled bids. 

The president of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) Gideon Sam presented the bid alongside chief executive Tubby Reddy, the head of sport for the City of Durban Vuzi Mazibuko and South Africa’s minister of sport Fikile Mbalula. 

The Durban presentation highlighted the city’s previous hosting successes including the football, rugby and cricket world cups and emphasised Durban’s current sporting facilities, its tourist attractions and the city’s infrastructure capabilities. 

A video was screened alongside the presentation and referenced the late Nelson Mandela and his beliefs about the power of sport. It ended by saying: “It’s Africa’s turn to host its sons and daughters for the first time on home soil… in the city where Nelson Mandela chose to cast his first vote. Let Durban be the first African city to host the Commonwealth Games,”

Minister Mbalula vowed his support for the bid and guaranteed the country’s commitment to the Games and called upon the federation to award Africa its first ever Commonwealth Games. “We guarantee the government will play its part in hosting the most successful sporting events in South Africa,” said Mbalula. “The Commonwealth Games to us are important Games in terms of what we seek to achieve collectively over the years. It’s our turn as the African continent.”

Meanwhile, Edmonton’s bid was introduced by Commonwealth Games Canada president Andrew Pipe before chairman of the 2022 bid, Reg Milley, made the presentation. Milley focused his address around learning from the upcoming Games in Glasgow. “We’re in Glasgow to listen. We’re here to learn,” said Milley.

Durban’s bid presentation has already been highly praised by sections of the South African media but the final vote will not be cast until September 2015 when the Commonwealth Games Federation meets in Auckland, New Zealand.

CEO of Glasgow 2014 and incoming CEO of the Commonwealth Games Federation, David Grevemberg will be speaking at the HOST CITY: BID TO WIN conference. To find out more, register for HOST CITY: BID TO WIN on 28th October.

Edmonton, the Canadian city bidding to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games is looking forward to hosting a much smaller event in 2015 – the FIBA Americas Women's Championships, because it fits with its strategy of attracting events that the community is interested in.

“We are very excited to be hosting the FIBA Americas Women's Championships in August 2015,” Candice Stasynec, executive director of Edmonton Events told HOST CITY. 

“In our event strategy we have identified specific events and activities that make sense for our community. It is gratifying to see the strategy coming to life.”

Basketball has been targeted as a key sport for the city. “What is so satisfying about winning this event is that is part of our larger strategy of further developing Edmonton as a centre of excellence in basketball and the home of basketball in Canada,” she said.

“The Canadian Senior Women's National Basketball Team calls Edmonton home now. We are hoping to attract all the national teams to do the same.”

The reach of the event is boosted by the fact that the tournament will also serve as the qualifiers for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. 

“Our Canadian women’s national basketball team now has the opportunity to compete for an Olympic berth with a home-court advantage,” said Michele O’Keefe, Executive Director of Canada Basketball. “Hosting is a strategic priority for Canada Basketball and this Championship is a great step forward.”

Choosing the right event for cities to bid for is a key theme of HOST CITY’s Bid to Win conference in London on 28th October, which provides a unique dialogue between rights holders and cities.

Bal Gosal, Minister of State for Sport said “Hosting international sport events such as the FIBA Americas Championship for Women provides an opportunity for our athletes to achieve their podium goals in front of enthusiastic Canadian crowds and gives a great boost to the local economy.”

The Championships take place on 9-16 August 2015 with 10 teams from the Americas zone competing in the eight-day tournament. All 24 games are being played at the Saville Community Sports Centre (SCSC) at the University of Alberta’s South Campus in Edmonton.

Seeking support for its bid for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) treated representatives from fellow African Commonwealth countries to dinner in Botswana on Sunday. 

Representatives from 16 African Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) attended the dinner.

Africa holds great sway in the voting procedure: with 18 of the 70 CGAs, the continent is home to more Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) members than any other region.

Tubby Reddy, CEO of SASCOC said in a statement “We do believe that with your support, our brothers and sisters of Africa, our bid will be successful, and to show the rest of the Commonwealth that it is indeed the African continent’s turn.”

Gideon Sam, President of SASCOC added “If there is any honesty in the world it’s Africa’s time. It’s been to Canada, it’s been to Australia, it’s been to England, it’s been to Scotland, it’s been to Asia but it’s never been to Africa. And we believe that it is our time. We have the infrastructure.”

The CGF does not employ a system of continental rotation for hosting the Games, but its constitution states: “The Commonwealth Games shall not be awarded in succession to countries in the same Region if countries from other Regions are making acceptable applications to act as hosts to the Commonwealth Games.”

In all its 22 editions, the Commonwealth Games has only been awarded three times to emerging cities outside Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. 

In a previous interview in the Spring issue of HOST CITY magazine, David Grevemberg, CEO of Glasgow 2014 said “Durban is emerging in some ways, but it’s got some regenerative aspects it could use the Games for – it’s hosted a World Cup competition.”

Discussing the future of the Commonwealth Games, Grevemberg said “One of the biggest challenges is to continue to make sure that the Games represent quality, quantity and universality.

“As the Commonwealth Games Federation moves forwards and future hosts come down, it’s about really making sure that the Games can manage all of that and perpetuate itself further by ensuring that it is continually relevant.”

Appealing to his African peers, Sam said “Hosting the World Cup gave the country vital experience and the necessary infrastructure which includes big stadiums, world class swimming pools, athletic tracks and cricket clubs to name but a few.

“We ask for your support as our fellow African counterparts so that we win this bid and host this prestigious event in South Africa.”

The Canadian city of Edmonton is also bidding for the Commonwealth Games in 2022. Formal bid proposals are due to be lodged in March 2015. 

The host city will be elected at the Commonwealth Games Federation’s General Assembly in Auckland, New Zealand in September 2015, when the 70 CGF Members will vote by secret ballot.

[Source: PTI Digital] PTI Digital are delighted to have been appointed by the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games– which kick off tomorrow in Birmingham and the West Midlands – as the Official Venue Technology Service Provider; using specific venue knowledge and expertise to support the deployment of key venue technology services more efficiently and effectively and providing further on-the-ground events expertise during Games-time.
PTI is assisting Birmingham 2022’s Venue Technology team and their Venue Network Integration supplier and bringing its consultancy expertise to guide and shape deployments at specific venues. The PTI team will be bringing expertise from a host of major events including the Ryder Cup, ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Cricket World Cup, Formula 1 and the IAAF World Athletics Championships.
Adrian Corcoran, Chief Information Officer at Birmingham 2022 said, “The Commonwealth Games is one of the biggest multi-sport events in the global calendar, taking place in multiple venues across Birmingham, the West Midlands over 11 days of sport. That comes not only with significant operational challenges but also a high degree of expectation around the experience from our stakeholders that require a seamless performance across our technology estate. PTI have outstanding experience in this space, always thinking about the end user and how that impacts on the technology requirements, bringing us operational and spend efficiencies in the process. Particularly with the compressed planning timescales of these Games and limited access to venues due to the pandemic, PTI have gone the extra mile in bringing venue experience and knowledge to accelerate the planning and deployment to specific and iconic Games venues.”
Laurence Smith, Head of Venue Technology at Birmingham 2022 said: “It’s been as pleasure to work with PTI for these Games. Their sports and venue specific expertise, combined with major event delivery knowledge as well as their exceptional partnership approach, have proved a great asset to my team, and this will continue through Games-time. We are also pleased that PTI is contributing to our legacy and sustainability strategy by redeploying key Games infrastructure to enhance network capability at other sports venues, thereby providing a lasting benefit to sport in the UK.”
This appointment adds further momentum to PTI’s exciting start to 2022, with Birmingham 2022 joining Premiership Rugby, Gloucester Rugby, London Legacy Development Corporation and Hibernian FC as new clients this year and longer-term engagements with OakView Group & Co-op Live, the London Stadium, Wasps & Coventry Building Society Arena, the NEC Group and Edgbaston Stadium. PTI also announced earlier this year that it had extended its relationship with Bristol Sport & Ashton Gate Stadium for a further four years.
Mike Bohndiek, Chief Executive Officer at PTI says “The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is the largest event ever to be held in the West Midlands and one of the biggest events staged in the United Kingdom since Glasgow 2014 and London 2012 and the past decade has seen unparalleled growth in the technological demands of staging major events. We are really delighted to be able to bring our experience to ensure we help Birmingham 2022 set a new benchmark for major events.”
PTI launched its specialist IT Managed Services division in September 2021, believing that the importance of the core infrastructure in sports and entertainment venues has never been greater. The post-Covid world demands greater digital enablement and – whether in digital ticketing or click & collect food and beverage – the fan’s device is now their window to experience – but this can only be the case if the underlying technology stack can enable this.
PTI is a specialist digital transformation consultancy and its digital transformation pyramid – which unifies its three core pillars of Venue Technology, Data & Digital and Commercial Strategy – lays the foundation for the holistic digital transformation of sports and entertainment organisations and venues. It is this integrated, efficient approach which begins with strategic intent and is informed by insight and powered by the right technology infrastructure which creates significant commercial advantage over the long-term.

[Source: Commonwealth Sport] The Global Esports Federation and the Commonwealth Games Federation have today unveiled three major titles for the inaugural Commonwealth Esports Championships that will take place in Birmingham this summer.

DOTA 2 (Valve), eFootball™ series (KONAMI) and Rocket League (Psyonix) will be featured at the event at the International Convention Centre (ICC) this August 6-7, with all three titles featuring a Women Category and an Open Category. 

Showcasing the excitement of the upcoming Commonwealth Esports Championships, students from across the UK played Rocket League during today’s CGF Executive Board Meeting in Birmingham. The demonstration was attended by President of the CGF, Dame Louise Martin DBE and CGF Chief Executive Officer, Katie Sadleir; the President of the GEF Chris Chan and Chair of GEF’s Coordination Commission for the CEC2022, Chester King. 

“We are proud to feature some of the world’s leading esports titles on stage in Birmingham’s International Convention Centre (ICC) over the weekend of August 6-7. We look forward to creating the opportunity for players and athletes from across the Commonwealth to shine on a truly global stage at this historic inaugural Commonwealth Esports Championships,” said Paul J. Foster, CEO of the GEF.

"Alongside the GEF, we are delighted to unveil three major titles for the Commonwealth Esports Championships in Birmingham this summer. There is no doubt this innovative and exciting event will create new learnings and opportunities for us to further explore esports. The Commonwealth has a combined population of more than 2.4 billion with over 60% of them under the age of 30. This is a vital group for the Commonwealth Sport Movement to engage with, and esports can be an important part of this work due to its huge popularity and reach with young people across the world,” expressed Katie Sadleir, CEO of the CGF.

Commonwealth Games Minister Nigel Huddleston said: "Esports has connected millions of young people across the Commonwealth, providing entertainment and a vital sense of community.

“The Commonwealth Esports Championships is a major vote of confidence in the West Midlands’ and UK’s thriving esports industry and an exciting chance to look at how this can be brought into the Commonwealth Sport Movement.”

The Commonwealth Esports Championships will feature exciting demonstrations showcasing Active Esports and the powerful technologies that support the convergence of sport and esports. The Commonwealth Esports Forum – a global convention of diverse thought leaders and idea creators – will be held at the same venue on Friday, August 5, 2022. 

The event today comes after first Team Preparation Guide (TPG) meeting for the event was staged last month. The meeting led by the GEF was joined by leaders from the GEF, CGF and British Esports Association. It was attended by representatives from over 60 Commonwealth nations and territories, including the GEF’s Member Federations who are set to compete in Birmingham. The organising team briefed the delegations on arrangements for participants and have since commenced team selections and preparations.  

About the Global Esports Federation

The Global Esports Federation promotes the credibility, legitimacy, and prestige of esports. We convene athletes, players, the world’s publishers, developers, industry partners and sporting organizations on one inclusive platform. We encourage and support the connection between esports, sport and technology. Our mission calls for the development of visible initiatives that are in service to the world’s esports community. We are grateful for a collective of strategic partnerships that bring to life this mission. www.globalesports.org

About the Commonwealth Games Federation

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is the organisation that is responsible for the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games, and for delivering on the vision of the Commonwealth Sports Movement: to build peaceful, sustainable and prosperous communities globally by inspiring Commonwealth Athletes to drive the impact and ambition of all Commonwealth Citizens through Sport.

About the Business and Tourism Programme (BATP)

The Business and Tourism Programme (BATP) aims to leverage the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games to embed positive perceptions of the West Midlands into the international imagination, driving long-term economic benefits across the region, fostering civic pride. Focusing on tourism, trade and investment, the three-year programme will catalyse the West Midlands’ growth strategy, cementing the region, and wider UK, as a globally sought-after location to visit, invest and live in. Its work will focus on nations and territories across the Commonwealth.

[Source: Birmingham 2022] The new campus model will see 1,600 athletes and officials housed at the NEC Hotel Campus, 1,900 at The University of Warwick, and the principal village with 2,800 at The University of Birmingham.

The decision to move away from the single site athletes’ village in the Perry Barr area of the city has been made by the Games Partnership with just under two years to go, after reviewing the impact of the global health pandemic.  It follows an assessment by the project delivery team, who has been working with the construction supply chain, as well as independent experts, on how they could de-risk Games delivery. With a shorter than normal timeframe for delivery of the Birmingham 2022 Games, the new build accommodation site was under continued review from the outset, with expert consultation throughout, and had very little scope to withstand the impact COVID-19 has had on construction.

The Perry Barr Regeneration Scheme, with new housing and transport infrastructure, will still be delivered.  This council-led residential scheme has been accelerated due to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and has been made possible with additional investment from central government.

The new three-site campus model for Birmingham 2022 athlete accommodation will be delivered within the overall Games budget of £778 million, with the Games remaining on track to be delivered on time and on budget.

The decision to move to three campus villages across the West Midlands has the support of  athlete representatives and Commonwealth Games Associations across the world who have been told of the new plans.

Ian Reid, CEO of Birmingham 2022 said: “These are challenging times for all of us and delivering a major multi sports event during this period has meant we have needed to collaborate effectively, be pragmatic to change, and remain realistic about the challenges we face.

We recognise that this new model is a move away from the historic norm and we are grateful for the support shown by our partners across the Commonwealth Games Associations.

Birmingham and the West Midlands is extremely fortunate to have superb alternate facilities and we are making this decision now, with two years to go, to de-risk the project, ensure delivery for athletes and teams and secure the legacy of new housing and transport infrastructure in Perry Barr.

This is the sensible and pragmatic thing to do for the Games, the athletes and for the people of Birmingham. It enables Birmingham City Council to focus on the delivery of the Perry Barr Regeneration Scheme and gives us enough time to plan essential Games services like transport and security. Furthermore, it offers athletes and teams the assurance of a warm welcome and a superb Games experience in their homes-from-home across the West Midlands”.

Alistair Brownlee, Commonwealth Games England’s nominee and vice-chair of the Birmingham 2022 Athlete Advisory Committee said: “Making this decision with just under two years to go until the Games, means there is early clarity for team officials and athletes about where they will be staying during Birmingham 2022. As an athlete, we want to know that there are certain aspects of events that are guaranteed – accommodation is one of them.  This early decision, during uncertain times, provides reassurance to athletes as they prepare to compete at their best in Birmingham.”

Craig Phillips, Chief Executive Officer, of Commonwealth Games Australia said: “While a single Games Village is the norm, we know these aren’t normal times and accept that, despite the best of efforts by the B2022 Organising Committee, this will not be possible for Birmingham.

“Commonwealth Games Australia thanks the B2022 Organising Committee for their openness in sharing the changes to the Games Village solution.  We will remain flexible in our planning to ensure we achieve our two overriding objectives for the Games – that our athletes are able to achieve their best possible performances, and they have the best possible Games experience.  This remains our focus.”

The Commonwealth Games Federation has described a proposal from Commonwealth Games India (CGI) to host a Commonwealth shooting event and potentially an archery event in India during 2022 as “innovative” that could set “manageable precedents”.

“The proposal will be reviewed and considered in January and February by the CGF and discussed with Birmingham 2022 Delivery Partners,” said David Grevemberg CBE, CEO of the Commonwealth Games Federation in a statement issued to media including Host City.

The UK city of Birmingham is hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games. 

“Key aspects of this assessment will be to ensure that the proposal conforms with our rules and regulations, is operationally deliverable, sets manageable precedents for the Commonwealth Games and ultimately adds value to athletes and the Commonwealth Sports Movement," said Grevemberg.

“We would like to thank the CGI, the NRAI, the Government of India and the entire sporting community of India for their leadership and significant efforts taken to submit an innovative proposal with the ambition of strengthening Commonwealth Sport.”

The CGF also said the proposal is supported by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), the Government of India, the International Shooting Sport Federation and World Archery.

Tom Dielen, Secretary General of World Archery expressed his support in a letter, shared with Host City, to Dr. Nalinder Batra, President of the lndian Olympic Association and President of Commonwealth Games India.

“World Archery is giving its full support to this proposal to have an Archery competition in India as part of the Commonwealth Games friendship programme,” Dielen wrote.

A CGF source told Host City that the “Commonwealth Games friendship programme” referenced by World Archery is not an official term but a working title for India’s proposal.Dielen also suggested “adding the mixed team events which will also feature in Tokyo 2020”.

“World Archery would recognise the event for World Records as well as enter it on the World Ranking. We will promote the event among our member associations and provide the necessary technical assistance.”

The Archery Association of India (AAI) is currently excluded from world sport over governance issues.

“We are currently facing some issues with the Indian Archery Association but these should be resolved during the coming months and we will work with the newly elected President to make this event a success,” Dielen wrote. 

“In the meantime, we will continue the dialogue with the Commonwealth Games Federation to include Archery in the programme of Commonwealth Games.”

The CGF also confirmed to Host City that the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) have fully backed the proposal and would recognise and ratify the potential shooting event, if held.

Shooting, which is an optional sport for host cities, was dropped from the Games by Birmingham 2022 in 2018 and Archery followed suit in 2019.

India had threatened to boycott the Birmingham 2022 Olympic Games over the exclusion of shooting. But on 30 December 2020, India’s participation was confirmed in a statement by CGF President Dame Louise Martin DBE.

"Following a useful and constructive CGF visit to India in November, we felt confident and reassured that the athletes and sports community of India places huge value and importance on the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Sport Movement,” she said.

"We are delighted that India have expressed an ambition to host another Commonwealth Games in the future."

The Commonwealth Games Federation has received expressions of interest in hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games from Australia, Canada, Malaysia and the United Kingdom.

The bidding process for 2022 was reopened after Durban was unable to fulfil financial obligations. Durban had been awarded the Games when it became the sole bidder after Edmonton pulled out.

But with four countries having expressed interest by the 28 April deadline, the CGF is now set to have a strong pool of cities bidding for the major multi-sport event.

“We are delighted with the level of initial interest expressed by nations across the Commonwealth and look forward to working with all parties as plans develop for a Games to be proud of in 2022,” David Grevemberg CBE, CEO of the CGF said in a statement.

“This is the first step in a collaborative process that will see a clear and detailed set of criteria applied to any Games hosting ambitions. The process has been streamlined to be as agile as possible given the time available and to minimise costs for potential hosts, whilst maintaining the transformative ambitions of the Commonwealth Sports Movement.

“An expert CGF Review Team will work with each country in the evaluation of proposals of potential host cities. This will include a rigorous on-the-ground feasibility assessment and dialogue regarding hosting capacity and capability, resourcing and legacy ambitions, before a recommendation is made to the CGF Executive Board for final review and decision. Based on the number of interested parties it is not expected that the process will finally conclude until early Autumn.”

It has not been specified at this stage in the process which cities are proposed to host the Games. Cities connected with possible bids include Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham in England; Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide in Australia; and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and Victoria, Edmonton and Toronto.

The CGF has not ruled out the possibility of cities sharing hosting duties.

The UK Government has asked cities interested in hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games to develop and submit plans for staging the event, with multi-city proposals to be considered.

It says applications will be assessed in a “fair and transparent competition process”, with factors to be assessed including: “the economic benefits the Games could deliver to the UK – and to the host city or cities – through international trade, investment and tourism opportunities, and how potential host cities could benefit as well as the necessary infrastructure and major event delivery experience that potential host cities have.”

Applications from individual cities will also be assessed to ensure they offer “value for money”. Liverpool has already announced a bid for the Games. 

This bid coordination by the UK government is a new approach. For previous Commonwealth Games, bids from British cities have been led from within England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and their Commonwealth Games Associations.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport says it will “work with interested cities and the relevant Commonwealth Games Associations on a detailed assessment of whether Britain can step in to host the event in 2022”.

“Hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2022 could give us an opportunity to step up and show the very best of Global Britain as an outward-looking nation that is confident on the world stage. So it’s only right that we look into the potential for hosting one of the world’s biggest sporting events on home soil,” said Culture Secretary Karen Bradley.

“Britain has a wealth of expertise in staging major sports events, inspiring people to get involved in sport and helping to grow our economy. The British people embrace these events and always give a warm welcome to the world. I would urge cities to consider if they have the desire and capability to stage the Games in 2022 as they could bring benefits not just to their city but across the country.”

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) reopened the bidding procedure after confirming that Durban would no longer be hosting the Games. The CGF has invited cities to express interest by 28 April and has said it hopes to determine a new host city in 2017.

UK Sports Minister Tracey Crouch has written to the CGF to confirm the UK’s interest as a potential host in 2022.

“The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games showed the appetite and enthusiasm that the British people have for supporting major sporting events,” she said.

“Now that the Commonwealth Games Federation need to find a new host for 2022, we want to hear from cities interested in repeating the triumphs of London, Glasgow and Manchester before it in 2002. We will then weigh up whether the UK should step in to host, looking at the opportunities to promote Global Britain and deliver a lasting legacy at good value for taxpayers.”

The UK government statement said it will decide whether or not to put in a formal bid by the end of the year.

Interested cities who require further information should email: CG2022@culture.gov.uk