2022 Commonwealth Games

The 2022 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XXII Commonwealth Games and commonly known as Durban 2022, is a multi-sport event where all 70 member territories from the Commonwealth of Nations are expected to compete. Durban, South Africa was awarded the rights to host the games at the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) General Assembly meeting in Auckland, New Zealand on 2 September 2015. It will mark the first time the games are held in Africa and the second time a Commonwealth republic will host since Delhi, India in 2010.

The games are set to open on the 18 July 2022, coinciding with the birthday of the late South African President, Nelson Mandela.^[1]

Bidding process

Two cities made confirmed bids for the games; Durban, South Africa and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Edmonton withdrew its bid in February 2015, leaving Durban as the only bid to go forward to CGF General Assembly in September 2015.^[2]

• Durban, South Africa

The coastal South African city had previously considered bidding for the 2020 or 2024 Summer Olympics. If Durban were to host the games, it would be the first Commonwealth Games held on the African continent. South Africa's second largest city, Cape Town bid for the 2004 Summer Olympics, but lost out to Athens.^[3] Durban is home to major professional rugby union, cricket and two association football teams – AmaZulu F.C. and Golden Arrows. The city has previously played host to matches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the 1996 & 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, the 1995 Rugby World Cup, as well as the 2003 Cricket World Cup. The Kings Park Sporting Precinct will be part of the bid. In addition Durban also hosted the 123rd IOC Session.

Organising committee

The Durban 2022 Bid Committee team at the Mansion House, London.

The City of Durban’s Commonwealth Bid Committee, a part of SASCOC (South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee, the controlling body for all the performance sports of South Africa and coordinates the relationship with various international sporting codes and their respective international federations) lodged the city’s bid to host the XXII Commonwealth Games in 2022 at Mansion House in London on 2 March 2015, leaving Durban as the only candidate city to host the games after Canada withdrew Edmonton as their bid city. At the same time the Durban 2022 brand was launched on social media as Durban2022 on Facebook, @Durban2022 on Twitter and @Durban2022 on Instagram. The bid's official website allows South African citizens to support the bid by sharing to social media.

Durban’s Bid Committee was headed by the Minister of Sport and Recreation, Honourable Fikile Mbalula, Mayor of Durban, Cllr James Nxumalo, MECs from the Province, as well as official sports ambassadors, Cameron van der Burgh, Khotso Mokoena and Dyan Buis.

Mark Alexander, Chairman of the Durban 2022 Bid Committee, confirmed that South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) and the National Sport and Recreation Plan (NSRP) underpin the decision to Bid for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

“Durban is the Gateway to Africa with a legacy in sports. Home to approximately 3.5 million people, its inhabitants are united in their great diversity by a determination to make theirs a socially cohesive, sustainable and economically vibrant city. The Games will assist the eThekwini Municipality’s Long Term 2030 Development Plan, which aims to make Durban Africa’s “Most Caring and Liveable City,” said eThekwini Mayor, Cllr James Nxumalo.

With at least 80% of the sports activities happening within a 2.5 km radius, the City’s vision is to develop Moses Mabhida Stadium as a mega multi-sport events precinct positioning it as a premier sports tourism destination. Integrating the games precinct into urban core renewal plans supports the eight-point plan of the Integrated Development Plan,” stated Chairman of the Durban 2022 Bid Committee, Mark Alexander. Evaluation Commission Visits

The Commonwealth Games Federation’s Evaluation Commission visited the city of Durban on 25 April 2015 for four days. The five-strong commission, chaired by CGF Honorary Secretary Louise Martin CBE, evaluated and advised on their plans to host the first Commonwealth Games on African soil, before Durban’s bid is voted on by all 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth Games Federation membership at their General Assembly on 2 September 2015, in Auckland, New Zealand.

Specifically it was the CGF’s Evaluation Commission’s job to analyse and gain a deeper understanding of the technical aspects of the bid and hear first-hand the plans and strategies that will be put in place to deliver an inspiring and inclusive Games for everyone in 2022. The full Evaluation Commission consisted of David Grevemberg, Chief Executive, Commonwealth Games Federation and former Glasgow 2014 CEO; Andrew Ryan, Executive Director, ASOIF (The association of Summer Olympic International Federations) and former Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018 Coordination Commission member; Ian Hooper, Director of Sport and Special Projects, Glasgow Life and Maxwell de Silva, Secretary General, Sri Lankan Commonwealth Games Association and National Olympic Committee.

Marketing

Logo

The Durban Commonwealth Games Bid logo was inspired, first and foremost, by the South African flag. The logo embraces the colours and geometric shapes of the country's iconic flag, which have been rearranged to form and suggest the shape of the African continent. The very nature of the flag, with all of its colours, reinforces the diversity, vibrancy and energy of the games. The textured section of the logo was inspired by the rich cultural tapestry of Durban. The colours of the Commonwealth Games Federation were also factored into the design.

Slogan

The Durban 2022 Commonwealth Games Bid comes with the motto of “Ready to Inspire”, which was chosen because it amplifies South Africa’s approach and desire to inspire athletes to break records, while also inspiring spectators to visit the warmest city in the country and experience the rich culture and heritage it has to offer. It also serves as a reminder to the Organising Committee, stakeholders and volunteers to inspire and be inspired to deliver the best ever Commonwealth Games. The core values of the Commonwealth Games movement: Humanity, Equality and Destiny have a strong resonance with the democracy South Africans fought for. The slogan has also been translated into the official social media hashtag on Twitter and Instagram with #ReadyToInspire often being seen used along with #Durban2022. The City

The iconic Moses Mabhida stadium will host the ceremonies and the athletics.

Durban is the multi-faceted, and multicultural mecca of the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Known as Africa’s Sports Capital, Durban has vast experience in hosting major sporting events. Durban, established in 1880, is the largest city of Kwa-Zulu Natal and part of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, located on the eastern coastline of South Africa. In Zulu, Durban is known as eThekwini, coming from the word itheku, meaning bay/lagoon. Durban is home to the busiest port in South Africa and in Africa. Its warm sub-tropical climate and extensive beaches on the Indian Ocean makes it a popular South African holiday destination, with a vision to become a premier sporting destination.

The City of Durban has previously hosted events of great international importance including the 17th Congress of the Parties (COP 17) and the 13th International Aids Conference in 2000. The city will also become the first city to host the mega event twice as it returns to Durban in 2016. Culturally, Durban is the heartbeat of traditional Zulu, Indian, contemporary, pop, kwaito and hip-hop music, as well as various art forms and has been poised as the home of the MTV African Music Awards (MAMA’s) and as of 2015, the South African advertising industry’s most prestigious awards show, The Loerie Awards.

The International Convention center in Durban

Technologically, Durban was the first city in South Africa to lay down the Next Generation carrier network throughout the city and was named the first Smart City in Africa, accordingly featured on the Discovery Channel. It was also the first city to implement an ICT incubator which mentors micro enterprises and facilitates their growth into the open market. This ongoing programme has produced many enterprises that are no longer defined as micro.

The sub-tropical paradise location is no stranger to international sporting occasions, playing host to major international surfing events, the 1995 Rugby World Cup, 2003 Cricket World Cup, inaugural ICC World Twenty20, 2009 IPL season played in South Africa, 2010 FIFA World Cup, 2010 A1GP motor race, the 103 IOC Session in 2011, the yearly Super Rugby competition, IPC Swimming World Champs 2006, the FINA Swimming World Cup in 2006 & 2008, the BG Triathlon World Cup 2008, the 2012 UCI MTB World Cup (Pietermaritzburg), and the FIVB Beach Volleyball 2013. South Africa also has multi-sport event experience, including the 1999 All Africa Games (Johannesburg) and the 2013 World Transplant Games (Durban).

Local sporting teams include The Sharks, based at Kings Park Stadium (AKA The Shark Tank), two Premier Soccer League teams, AmaZulu (based at Moses Mabhida Stadium) and Golden Arrows (based at King Zwelethini Stadium in Umlazi), and the KZN Dolphins cricket team.

Venues

References

External links

• Durban 2022 website