Bid Highlights
- A motivation to host a Commonwealth Games that is intrinsically linked with plans for the long term development of the District of Hambantota and the Southern Province of Sri Lanka.
- All planned competition venues will be developed by 2016 allowing a comprehensive test event programme,including the 2016 South Asian Games.
- Special 'visa on arrival' arrangements will be in place during the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
- A Government-led project, with a strong financial commitment, fully supported by Guarantees.
Games Vision & Concept
Our Games vision and the long term development plans for the District are intrinsically linked to our aspiration to develop Hambantota as a new city using the Games as a catalyst for this development, to inspire and regenerate the local area and position Sri Lanka on the international stage.
The Games' plans have developed in parallel with the Greater Hambantota Development Plan (GHDP) and Sports City proposals. The result is an overall Games masterplan, founded on best practice sustainable development, with excellent competition and noncompetition venues, a well planned transportation system and new infrastructure based on inclusivity and legacy principles.
The vision for the GHDP is to develop Hambantota as the "Gateway to Asia" creating an "economically prosperous, ecologically sustainable and culturally vibrant area which offers attractive and challenging opportunities for the youth and opens up the District as a 'gateway' to fast growing Asia".
Hambantota will be one of five future 'metro cities' in Sri Lanka located in areas strategically selected for their high population concentration. The forecast population for each metro city is one million and Hambantota has a forecast population of 1.2 million by 2018.
The key objectives within the GHDP are:
- To develop the Greater Hambantota area as an international business and investment centre
- To develop the city of Ruhuna (city centre of the Greater Hambantota area) as a major transportation
- To develop the city of Ruhuna (city centre of the Greater Hambantota area) as a major transportation hub for South Asia, based upon the international Seaport, international Airport, new southern railway and southern highway – with possible connection to the proposed Asian highway
- To improve the quality of life by generating new job opportunities that will gradually establish full employment status in the country
- To conserve the natural and historically valuable built environment and enhance the social and cultural resources of the area
- To create an environmentally friendly city. All of these objectives are reflected in our Games masterplan that sets out the Games-time and post-Games infrastructure.
Concept
The Games will start on Wednesday 16 May and end on Sunday 27 May 2018. These dates:
- Provide the optimal climatic conditions in Hambantota for hosting the Games. May is just one month into the dry season providing the best conditions for athletes and spectators and showcasing Hambantota's lush natural habitat.
- Fit well with the international sporting calendar to attract the Commonwealth's best athletes across the sports programme. There are no clashes with any IF major events, helping to ensure the presence of both top stars and emerging athletes.
- Are within the optimal broadcast media rights window to maximise broadcast revenue and media coverage within Commonwealth markets.
- Will cover two weekends, with events strategically programmed to maximise both broadcast coverage and attendance by Sri Lankans and in turn, generate a truly unique celebratory atmosphere.
It is proposed that the Games programme will be 11 days, excluding the Opening Ceremony, to take account of the needs of the competition schedule for the selected sports.
A catalyst for development
Sri Lanka is on an exciting and progressive journey, driven by its 10-year plan "Taking Sri Lanka to 2020".
This addresses recent adversities such as the devastation caused by the tsunami and the recovery from 26 years of internal conflict. Only now, as a unified and ambitious country, can these plans for an exciting future become a reality. Bidding for and hosting the Games is an integral part of this journey and will act as an important catalyst in helping to achieve these plans.
The President's vision is to transform Sri Lanka to once again be the Pearl of the Asian Silk Route, developing the country as a strategic link between the East and West –a gateway to Asia.
Sri Lanka is seeking to double the country's per capita income to in excess of USD 4,000 (GBP 2,500) by 2015 while, at the same time, sustaining its economic growth rate of circa 8% per annum.
Our motivation
Our motivation in bidding to host the Hambantota 2018 Commonwealth Games (the Games), is that we are confident they will deliver many long term and sustainable benefits for the emerging city of Hambantota and its District; for the Southern Province; for Sri Lanka; for Asia and especially, for emerging nations within the Commonwealth.
Hambantota 2018 takes its responsibility as a Candidate City very seriously. We are committed to the Commonwealth Movement and to enhancing the Commonwealth brand, by delivering an exemplary event in 2018.
The District of Hambantota (the District) holds an important strategic location in the south east of the country. The new Hambantota Seaport, which opened in 2010, is the first step towards post-tsunami regeneration. It will be closely followed by a new international airport, opening in 2012, together with new city infrastructure and an enhanced transport network. A new Sports City will be the location of the Commonwealth Games Park (Games Park) at Games-time. In legacy mode, it will be a vibrant mixed zone including sporting venues, a new university, a business and IT park, residential and other commercial and leisure activities such as retail, hotels and entertainment.
These developments will help to enhance the country's international profile and transform this part of Sri Lanka into a vibrant location for further investment. The District will become an attractive and accessible tourist destination for both Sri Lankans and international visitors. These plans also link well with the Ministry of Sports' seven year Strategic Plan to drive Sri Lanka's sporting ambitions, by developing new facilities for sport and initiating sports development and talent identification programmes across all nine provinces.
News and Events
Battle between Gold Coast & Hambantota for 2018 CWG is most exciting ever says Hooper
October 12 - Mike Hooper, chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), has said that the race between Australia's Gold Coast and Sri Lanka's Hambantota to host the 2018 event is one of the most exciting ever.The battle has now entered the final stages with less than a month to go until the 71 Commonwealth nations and territories gather decide on who will host the event at the CGF General Assembly on November 11 in St Kitts and Nevis.
Read more...
Articles
Hambantota 2018 Commonwealth Games : Impressions of a foreign friend
With regard to Hambantota 2018 legacy plan, considering all what has been carried out so far and what will certainly be done in the months ahead, we selected seven letters to summarize implication and motivation of Sri Lankan authorities and Hambantota 2018 bid committee. Those seven letters are P.R.A.C.H.A.L. seven letters like the seven years ahead the d date. Those letters, according to us, represent Hambantota 2018 legacy plan and Sri Lankans’ motivation to host 2018 Commonwealth Games.
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