CWG 2018 bids from Australia, Lanka next week

PTI:After an eventful 19th Commonwealth Games in India last year, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is all set to receive bids for the 2018 edition’s hosting rights from Australia and Sri Lanka during a series of meetings from May 6 to 11.

“The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) will hold a series of meetings in Kuala Lumpur this week (May 6 to 11), the highlight being the formal lodgment of bids by 2018 candidate cities, Gold Coast (Australia) and Hambantota (Sri Lanka),” the CGF said in a statement.

The bid lodgment will be on May 11, while a number of other important matters will be considered across the six days. “The Sport Committee meets on May 6 and 7, the Federation Court will consider the matter of Sri Lankan boxer Manju Wanniarachchi on 8 May, and the Executive Board will meet on May 9 and 10,” the CGF said.

“The Sports Committee’s prime focus will be the Sports Programme Review (SPR) that follows every Commonwealth Games, looking at all aspects of the sports programme and considering submissions from member countries, International Federations and broadcasters.

“The International federations of volleyball, rugby league and canoeing will also make submissions,” it added. Wanniarachchi, who won the 56kg gold medal in Delhi, failed a dope test conducted during the Games.

“His hearing before the Federation Court had been set for January in Jamaica. However, an illness precluded r Wanniarachchi’s legal representative from attending the Court and the matter was postponed until May 8,” the statement read.

The CGF Executive Board will receive a detailed report from the Sports Committee, as well as from the organising committees of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games, which take place on the Isle of Man in September.

Representatives from both the Gold Coast and Hambantota will be in Kuala Lumpur to make a 20-minute presentation at the formal Lodgement Ceremony at the city’s Le Meridien Hotel. There will also be a drawing of lots, conducted by CGF Vice President Imran, to determine the order of presentation by the cities to the CGF General Assembly on decision day, November 11, in St Kitts and Nevis.