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.
Inspiration
The Games will not only act as a catalyst for economic development but will inspire others, as a new city is born with sport and education at its core.
This new city development, combined with the excitement of hosting the Games, will help inspire and draw the local community together by developing a sense of pride and place previously shattered by the devastation of the tsunami and internal conflict. It will also inspire other island nations in the Commonwealth to bid for sporting events by demonstrating the benefits that hosting such events can bring. Complementary programmes will be implemented that will unite Sri Lanka through sport, with the new sporting infrastructure and a new university providing a hub for education and sports development.
The range of sporting infrastructure forming part of the Sports City will help to inspire a diversity of participation and elite performance in sport and physical activity not seen before in Sri Lanka, particularly by young people.
The Sports City will be 'a new venue for world sport', promoted as an attractive location for sports education, sports tourism, warm weather training camps and the hosting of local, regional, national and international events. It will be a true 'sports hub' linking university education with national and regional squad training; featuring participation programmes for local youngsters, development and progression pathways for talented athletes; and attracting some of the best coaches in the world.
Sports City will play a key role in the identification and development of Sri Lanka's future international medalists and fulfilment of the Government's aim to elevate the country's profile and competitiveness in world sport to a level that equates with its profile in cricket. These new opportunities will also help to retain skills and expertise within Sri Lanka, encouraging young Sri Lankans to continue their studies or careers at home rather than moving abroad. This is of pivotal importance to the future success of Sri Lanka as a sporting nation, creating 'home grown' role models for future generations.
Hambantota's progress will be showcased before, during and after the Games, to act as an inspirational force amongst the emerging economies of the Commonwealth. The inspiration behind this motivation is first and foremost the 2018 Games. What better way to enhance the CGF brand and profile the important role that sport can and should have in our society today.
News and Events
Sri Lanka optimistic as Commonwealth evaluators in Colombo
Commonwealth Games Evaluation Commission led by its Chairman Louis Martin and Commonwealth Games Chief Executive Mike Hooper will start a four day evaluating process in assessing Sri Lanka’s stand as a candidate city for the XXI Commonwealth Games to be held in 2018.
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.
Read more...
