Durban 2022 #ReadToInspire

As you must have heard by now, Durban has been made host city for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, this in itself is a major achievement for the city given that it is normally plays 3rd fiddle behind Johannesburg and Cape Town. This in itself is the single biggest sporting event hosted by a single city on the continent and what an honor it is. Durban is dubbed South Africa's sporting mecca with it having a unique sporting precinct that is nestled on the shores of the warm Indian Ocean. 

The bid committee has worked tirelessly over the past few years putting together a bid that not only justifies why Durban is the perfect candidate but also the right one. Yes, with other bidding cities pulling out of the race, it did make it a one horse race but the Commonwealth Games Federation's General Assembly did put Durban under the microscope to see if it met their requirements. With 80 of the infrastructure already built with minor upgrades needed to existing ones, it was a clear enough as to why Durban would be ideal to host this prestigious event. 

From now on the city is gearing up for 2022 as preparations are well under way to get the city and the country behind this event, to make it a memorable one, not only for South Africa but Africa as a whole. We showed the world what we can achieve during the 2010 World Cup and this is just another opportunity to showcase that again. Looking at some of the proposed venues for the events, Moses Mabhida leads the line as the centre piece for the games as it will host most of the track and field events. The major talking point is the choice of using Rachel Finlayson swimming pool along the promenade over the Kings Park Aquatics Centre, as shown in the renders it would prove to be a better venue showcasing the cities beautiful beachfront and promenade. 

The CGF have asked for alternatives should weather pose a problem to these outdoor venues. Overall I think this a great thing for the city and can only do more good than harm for us, we will need support from the country as well seeing that this is something that only the Olympics can top. We've seen in the past, what the success of hosting a successful games can do for the city, so now that we have our chance, we shouldn't be slacking. It's time for us to get ready, #ReadyToInspire