Birmingham to discover Commonwealth Games decision by end of year
Saturday 30 September 2017 22:19, UK
Birmingham should know by the end of the year whether its bid to host the Commonwealth Games 2022 has been successful.
The bid from Birmingham was the only one submitted to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) before Saturday's deadline.
A UK Government pledge to fund tournament costs understood to reach £750m has pushed Birmingham's proposal to the front of the queue.
The CGF said it will now review the English city's bid to ensure it meets the necessary hosting requirements, while also adding in a statement that there have been "continued expressions of interest and support from Canada, Malaysia and Australia".
Durban initially won the race to host the 2022 tournament in 2015, but the South African city was stripped of the games earlier this year due to financial difficulties.
"A final decision on the host city for the 2022 CG is expected by the end of the year," said CGF chief executive David Grevemberg.
"Over the past few months a CGF review team has been working with countries from across the Commonwealth to evaluate and advise on their potential hosting plans and games delivery solutions.
"Bid documentation has been received from Birmingham, England and the CGF will now go through a comprehensive review and feedback process to ensure the bid meets the requirements of successfully hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
"There have also been continued expressions of interest and support from Canada, Malaysia and Australia.
"At its board meeting in Sri Lanka on October 5 and 6, the CGF executive board will receive an update on the current status of the 2022 selection process."
