Durban will host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, becoming the first African city to be awarded the multi-sports event.
The 71 nations and territories of the Commonwealth Games Federation made the decision unanimously on Wednesday after receiving Durban’s final candidate city briefing at the general assembly in Auckland. Durban was the only candidate left when Edmonton withdrew its bid in February, citing costs.
The general assembly also voted to increase the number of compulsory sports at the games from 10 to 16.
Scotland’s Louise Martin was elected the first female president of the federation, deposing incumbent Prince Tunku Imran of Malaysia who held the role for four years.
Durban’s final pitch to Federation members included contributions from South Africa’s Minister for Sport Fikile Mbalula and Durban mayor James Nxumalo. The announcement was broadcast live in South Africa.
Members of the South African delegation said while Durban was the lone candidate, it was not a certainty to be awarded the games. It still had to demonstrate it had the ability and the infrastructure to host games which would be financially viable.
South Africa’s record in hosting the football World Cup in 2010 and the Rugby World Cup in 1995 demonstrated its organisational ability but it has not yet hosted a multi-sports event of the scale of the Commonwealth Games.
