New sports and capping of numbers are on the agenda of the Commonwealth Games Federation as it seeks to keep the Commonwealth Games relevant in tune with modern times.
With the programme for Gold Coast 2018 already locked and basketball set to replace gymnastics, the CGF general assembly, to be held next year in Auckland, will determine the new structure besides voting on the host city for the 2022 Games.
Durban (South Africa) and Edmonton (Canada) are in the fray for the 2022 Games, while Wales has hinted at the possibility of putting up a joint bid with Cardiff, Newport and Swansea to gain the right to host the 2026 Games.
At the CGF general assembly here on Tuesday, both candidate cities gave presentations which the outgoing CGF chief executive, Mike Hooper, termed “quite impressive”.
While Durban is jostling to become the first African city to host the Games, Edmonton seeks a second chance after 1978.
Hooper said the CGF was steadfast in its determination that the Games should remain relevant to the modern Commonwealth and to this effect would not encourage potential bidders to over-scope the size and scale of the event.
“We are also looking at disciplines afresh. But I would not like to comment on anything as of now. The CGF general assembly in Auckland next year will take a final call on all these issues and come up with appropriate decisions.”
Tuesday’s meeting, it was disclosed, also decided on retaining the CGF headquarters in London, voting out the offers of Malaysia and Cyprus to relocate it.
With Glasgow 2014 drawing a record level of participation (4,929 athletes and 1,850 officials) in the Games’ history, the CGF would also be looking to cap the number of participants by defining specific quotas for each sport included in the coming Games.
Again, this will be decided on September 22 next year as the CGF general assembly meets to face the realities and decide on the future.
