Kudos for Hambantota 2018 CWG bid from Caribbean delegation

Representatives of the Caribbean delegation which visited Sri Lanka recently had praised Sri Lanka’s Hambantota bid for 2018 Commonwealth Games.

In a letter to the Organising Committee of the bid, Jean Francis of Gwade/Cameroon had commended Sri Lanka’s efforts and preparations in addition to being impressed with the warmth and hospitality received during the delegation’s visit.

High-level Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) and affiliate bodies from the region were in Sri Lanka for several days.

The Caribbean delegation to Sri Lanka’s Hambantota 2018 bid included representatives from: Commonwealth Games Association of Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association, Bahamas Olympic Association, Barbados Olympic Association Inc, British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee, Dominica Olympic Committee, Grenada Olympic Association, Jamaica Olympic Association, St. Kitts and Nevis Olympic Association, St. Lucia Olympic Committee, St. Vincent and The Grenadines National Olympic Committee, Turks and Caicos Islands Commonwealth Games Association.

Here are excerpts from the letter of Jean Francis Gwade from Cameroon:

With regard to the 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 summarise the implication and motivation of Sri Lankan authorities and Hambantota 2018 bid committee.        

Those seven letters are P.R.A.C.H.A.L., like the seven years ahead of D-date. Those letters, according to us, represent Hambantota 2018 legacy plan and Sri Lankans’ motivation to host 2018 Commonwealth Games.

P stands for Prestigious. According to Hambantota legacy plan, 2018 Commonwealth games in Hambantota will be under a very high standard, impressing every one. Quoting President Mahinda Rajapaksa: “Our mission is to… raise the bar in terms of the standards of organisation.”

R stands for Realistic. It appeared to me that Sri Lankan authorities would like to demonstrate that games will be effectively and very well hosted. Benefits from the games are various (at social, infrastructural, educational, cultural and economical levels).

A stands for Ambitious. Without high ambitions, nothing great can be achieved.

C stands for Challenging.  Real glory and deep satisfaction come after overcoming a high and enormous challenge. Hambantota 2018 bid committee is obviously following this goal.

H stands for Heartful. Big achievements are accomplished with a strong will, with positive heart dispositions. This means that if one man wants to realise something with all his heart, he will do it. A country can act as one man. Joining hearts together will give way to a collective desire to make it.

A stands for Achievable.  To take just one example, infrastructures should all be ready on time. The master plan displayed by Hambantota 2018 bid committee is clear about the timing related to all organisational aspects.

L stands for Lovable. “Enhancing lives, transforming a nation” is the summary of the Hambantota 2018 legacy plan. It is a lovable project. As mentioned above, games will change people lives positively, will definitely change the profile of this growing and welcoming nation named Sri Lanka.

All of us present here as stakeholders at the current inward mission, are all part of the 2018 Hambantota Commonwealth Games.

In fact, we went through documents related to Hambantota 2018 games, we visited many sites, we had discussions with so many Sri Lankans, we made note of the strong will to successfully host 2018 Commonwealth games. We concluded that Sri Lanka will make it.

Commonwealth means sharing all details dealing with wealth. Hosting Commonwealth games can be considered as wealth. Hosting those games should be therefore shared. It is Sri Lanka time (I mean it is time for an emerging/developing country like Sri Lanka owning resources, means and passion to give hope to other developing Commonwealth countries). According to what I witnessed, Sri Lanka has the ideal profile to host 2018 Commonwealth Games. Together. From the heart.