African Sports Monthly Mar, 2015 | Page 14

Durban 2022 Commonwealth Games Will Boost Economy Durban, South Africa is the only contender left to stage the 2022Commonwealth Games, after Edmonton in Canada withdrew their bid due to financial constraints. However, Durban will not automatically win the Commonwealth Games federation general assembly’s vote on 2 September 2015, since the city still has to produce a quality bid. The 600-page bid book will be handed to Commonwealth Games Federation officials on 2 March at the official residence of the London Lord Mayor. Some facts worth noting are that no African country has ever hosted the 71nation multisport event. An economic impact study part of the Durban 2022 bid book estimates that the Games would generate a total spend of R20 billion. This will translate into gross domestic product growth of R11 billion as reported by BD Live. According to Times Live, other benefits include: