The country’s Sport Minister was one of the first to congratulate Durban on being confirmed the host city of the 2022 Commonwealth Games on Wednesday morning.
Fikile Mbalula took to Twitter to say: “Shout out to those who woke up early in Durban to witness this historical moment #Durban2022 #CommonwealthGames”.
The announcement was made in Auckland by British sports administrator Louise Martin‚ who had been elected as the Commonwealth Games Federation’s (CGF) first female president.
Durban’s Mayor James Nxumalo said: “Africa is ready. Today marks a gigantic leap for the continent.”
Martin was chairman of the evaluation commission which gave Durban’s bid a boost after it endorsed the city.
“It is our recommendation the CGF general assembly votes to award the 2022 Commonwealth Games to the host city of Durban‚ South Africa‚ but subject to the final and timely delivery of a limited number of outstanding host city contract requirements‚” she said last month.
Durban bid chairman Mark Alexander‚ who has said the positive economic effect of hosting the Games would run to R25-billion‚ was quoted by the bid’s Twitter account ?@Durban2022 as saying: “I’m excited‚ the city is excited!”
While most of the immediate reaction on social media was positive‚ some rained on Durban’s parade by pointing out that it was the only city in the running.
Sports journalist Brad Brown (@BigBradBrown) tweeted: “How much money has been blown on sending a delegation to Auckland to celebrate #Durban2022? We were the only bid city. Let that sink in.”
Cape Argus editor Gasant Abarder (@GasantAbarder) asked: “Happy for Durban and SA but hope this isn’t a lossmaker. Why did other aspiring host cities pull out? #Durban2022”.
The New Age’s Neal Collins (@nealcol) suggested: “Perhaps‚ before #durban2022 we should have had a proper audit of @worldcup2010‚ AFCON and Chan and what they cost SA.”
Tiso Blackstar’s Babalo Ndenze (@BabaloNdenze) took a slightly different tack when he posted: “Durbanites are honestly celebrating the hosting of these Colonial Games. #Durban2022”.
Durban Games ‘a gigantic leap for the continent’‚ says mayor
Fikile Mbalula took to Twitter to say: “Shout out to those who woke up early in Durban to witness this historical moment #Durban2022 #CommonwealthGames”.
The announcement was made in Auckland by British sports administrator Louise Martin‚ who had been elected as the Commonwealth Games Federation’s (CGF) first female president.
Durban’s Mayor James Nxumalo said: “Africa is ready. Today marks a gigantic leap for the continent.”
Martin was chairman of the evaluation commission which gave Durban’s bid a boost after it endorsed the city.
“It is our recommendation the CGF general assembly votes to award the 2022 Commonwealth Games to the host city of Durban‚ South Africa‚ but subject to the final and timely delivery of a limited number of outstanding host city contract requirements‚” she said last month.
Durban bid chairman Mark Alexander‚ who has said the positive economic effect of hosting the Games would run to R25-billion‚ was quoted by the bid’s Twitter account ?@Durban2022 as saying: “I’m excited‚ the city is excited!”
While most of the immediate reaction on social media was positive‚ some rained on Durban’s parade by pointing out that it was the only city in the running.
Sports journalist Brad Brown (@BigBradBrown) tweeted: “How much money has been blown on sending a delegation to Auckland to celebrate #Durban2022? We were the only bid city. Let that sink in.”
Cape Argus editor Gasant Abarder (@GasantAbarder) asked: “Happy for Durban and SA but hope this isn’t a lossmaker. Why did other aspiring host cities pull out? #Durban2022”.
The New Age’s Neal Collins (@nealcol) suggested: “Perhaps‚ before #durban2022 we should have had a proper audit of @worldcup2010‚ AFCON and Chan and what they cost SA.”
Tiso Blackstar’s Babalo Ndenze (@BabaloNdenze) took a slightly different tack when he posted: “Durbanites are honestly celebrating the hosting of these Colonial Games. #Durban2022”.
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