Although Durban, South Africa was awarded the bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games back in 2015, the prospect of the African continent hosting its first major international multi-sport event may not come to pass. South Africa’s Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula has identified increasing costs as the reason why his nation may not be able to move forward with hosting duties.
Initially having been provided a list of criteria to fulfill by November 30th, per Inside the Games, Durban has yet to sign the Host City contract, establish an Organizing Committee, confirm the underwriting arrangements or make any payments to the CGF. A Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) meeting is to be held in March to determine if the city of Durban will be stripped of the Games.
Says Mbalula of the situation, “I don’t want to raise your expectations and say everything looks good, it doesn’t because we don’t agree on the fundamentals and that is the operational budget.”
Should the Games indeed be taken from Durban, the CGF’s Executive Board would enact its power to choose a replacement host city without a formal bid process. Canada’s Edmonton was originally in the running for 2022, but took itself out of the race.