The European Commonwealth Games Association (CGA), in Abuja to inspect its bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, said it doesn’t share the sentiment that Africa has not hosted the Commonwealth Games since its inception in 1930. The organization said it will vote for Africa only if Abuja is capable of hosting the Games.
Joseph Cassar, a member from Malta, spoke on behalf of the 12-member delegation. He said the delegation was not bound by the European Union (EU) charter to vote for its choice for the Commonwealth Games, but will only vote based on the capability of bidding countries.
Cassar said, “our first and foremost responsibility is to our athletes, so if I see that Abuja is not capable of hosting them I will not support Abuja”.
According to the Daily Trust Cassar was surprised at what he saw in Nigeria and blamed the western media for propagating negative reports about Africa, declaring that his perception is much better seeing the facilities on ground and “people dressed and working in offices like us”.
CGA delegation member Martin Hebdedn of Jersey said he is impressed with the enthusiasm of Nigerians to hosting the Games, while Don Stockins of Australia said “we hosted the last Games and I appreciated what I have seen on ground as contained in the bid document. Good luck to Abuja in your bid for 2014”.
The delegation leaves Abuja September 21.
