South Africa's Durban may pull out of hosting 2022 Commonwealth Games

South Africa’s Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula has said Durban might not be able to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, disclosing that the latest position is due to cost challenges.

Durban was awarded the Games in 2015 after Edmonton in Canada withdrew their bid.

“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,” Mbalula told a media briefing.

In December, South Africa’s officials said it remained “fully committed” to hosting the games but had previously feared economic challenges may stampede the ambition.

Durban is a port city in eastern South Africa on the Indian Ocean; it serves as a resort and industrial centre in Africa’s most advanced economy.

“We gave it our best shot but we can’t go beyond, if the country says we don’t have this money, we can’t really,” Mbalula said, adding that a final decision would be made soon by the Commonwealth Games Federation.

First staged in 1930, the games are a multi-sport event held every four years featuring athletes from over 50 countries, mostly former British colonies.

The 2022 Games could be Africa’s first, If it happens, South Africa could then launch a bid for the Olympic Games.