(ATR) Durban, South Africa's withdrawal from its 2022 Commonwealth Games hosting obligations has opened the door for a new bidding race for the event.
Eleven cities have publicly indicated their interest to replace Durban in the first week since the city’s withdrawal on March 13. The Commonwealth Games Federation says it is "actively exploring alternative options" but does not a have a timetable on the new bidding process thus far.
England and Australia are the two countries that may have the best shot at winning the bid because each country has four cities that are either contemplating or willing to submit a bid for 2022.
Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester were quick to announce their willingness to host the event less than 24 hours after it was stripped from Durban, while Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the city could host if funding was available. If one of these four cities is chosen it would represent the first Commonwealth Games in England since Manchester 2002.
In Australia, Perth is the latest city to express interest in hosting the games, joining Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide in the new host city race. The CGF could have reservations about awarding the 2022 edition to an Australian city given that the Gold Coast is hosting the 2018 edition of the games next April.
Two Asian cities are also interested in hosting the games with New Delhi, India and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia throwing their names in the hat. India has hosted the event in Delhi in 2010 while Malaysia played host to the 1998 edition of the games.
Durban won the right to host the 2022 games in September 2015 while running unopposed following the withdrawal of Edmonton, Canada before a vote was taken. Despite its previous withdrawal, Edmonton could emerge as a contender for the event once more.
"I’m very, very confident that the expressions of interest will manifest in some way to some sporting events whether it’s our youth Games or our main Games in the future," said CGF chief executive David Grevemberg.
The host selection process will likely pick up steam in the following months with a new host expected to be chosen by the end of this year or beginning of 2018, giving organizers at least four years to get their ducks in a row.
"We’d like to make a decision as soon as possible but we’re not going to be rash, it needs to be the right fit with the right plan and for the right reasons," said Grevemberg.
Written by Kevin Nutley
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