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Birmingham officially announced to host 2022 Commonwealth Games

United Kingdom

Birmingham was on Thursday officially announced as the host city for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President, Louse Martin made the announcement at a school for 11-16 year-olds in the midlands city.

“It is my great pleasure to announce that the host of the 2022 Commonwealth Games will be – Birmingham,” she announced.

The Games will gather entries from the 52 nations of the Commonwealth, mostly former members of the British empire, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and Pakistan and 18 nations in Africa, as well as many in the Caribbean, Asia and Pacific.

The 2022 edition of the Games has been difficult to organise.

Durban, South Africa, was originally awarded the Games in 2015 before being stripped of the event in March because it failed to meet promises contained in its bid.

Birmingham was the only potential host to submit a bid before the new deadline, September 30, but the CGF ruled that the bid was not “fully compliant” and re-opened the bidding process for a further two months. No further bids were received before the November 30 final deadline.

Bid organisers have said that 95 percent of the competition venues are already in place with Alexander Stadium, an established athletics venue, set for an increase in capacity and facilities upgrade.

The only new venue proposed in Birmingham’s bid is the Sandwell Aquatics Centre, which will host Swimming, Para Swimming and Diving.

Birmingham announced as host of 2022 Commonwealth Games https://t.co/jOLlZjN7Tt pic.twitter.com/HN63TD9Iwb

— Ripples Nigeria (@RipplesNG) December 21, 2017

The city centre Victoria Square will also be used for 3×3 Basketball and Wheelchair Basketball.

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