Economic realities scupper Commonwealth Games in SA

After concerns were raised by Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula a number of weeks ago, the reality finally dawned on the country's sports officials and government alike, that hosting an event the magnitude of the Commonwealth Games in Durban was beyond its financial means.

 Durban had been the only city to launch a formal bid to host the Games after Edmonton in Canada withdrew.

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Confirming the news to Jacaranda FM News in his capacity as one of the Vice Presidents of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), Sascoc President Gideon Sam said as an organisation, the CGF felt there was no point in asking South Africa to proceed if there were serious financial issues.

 "Besides, it would have made it increasingly difficult for another potential host city if we had delayed the process any further," said Sam.

Sam maintains that, until the final decision was reached to strip Durban of the hosting rights, he had still held out a hope that the country could pull it off.

 But Minister Mbalula's concerns appeared to have sunk any thoughts of a last-ditch attempt to salvage the Games and eventually Government and sports bodies alike realised they could no longer justify the proposed spending which would have run into billions. 

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 "The Minister is closer to the finances of the country and the views of Cabinet especially in consultation with the Finance Ministry and in light of all the competing priorities," added Sam.

 "It would have been very tough for us to stand up and boldly say that we are spending that kind of money on the Commonwealth Games."

 With the South African economy not growing at any significant rate Sam said it was the duty of responsible sports administrators to be 'sensible around finances'

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