Leaders of the Hambantota 2018 Commonwealth Games Bid yesterday welcomed the report by the CGF Evaluation Commission which describes the Sri Lankan proposals as the most compact Commonwealth Games concept design ever developed.The report says Hambantota's unique and ambitious plan ensures short travel times between venues for the Games family with an integrated park hosting 90 percent of the competition venues and all of the non competition venues.
Hambantota Bid CEO and Director Nalin Attygalle said: "We thank the Evaluation Commission for producing such a thorough report which covers over 20 different topics and concludes that we fundamentally meet all the technical requirements to deliver the Games.
"We know there is still a great deal of hard work to be done in the final race to the finishing line but we welcome the finding that we meet every single technical requirement.
We are particurlary encouraged that the commission report says that the environment and sustainabilty elements of the proposal are sound, underpinned by a solid organising committee framework."
On the question of readiness to stage the Games, Attygalle said: "There is a seven-year period to get ready for the Games.
I believe strongly that the whole experience hinges not on being event-ready now but on getting ready over seven years.
There are enormous opportunities for young people to train, for businesses to grow, for venues to be constructed and for legacies to be planned.
The Games should aspire to deliver these and create a life-changing Games."
Daily News
