Australia set to host Commonwealth Games in April — Envoy

The Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria,
Paul Lehmann, on Monday announced his government’s readiness
to host the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
between April 4 and April 15, this year.
Australia won the hosting right over Sri Lanka’s Hambantota in 2011
at a meeting of the Commonwealth Games Federation in the Caribbean
Island of St Kitts.
Australia had hosted the games four times previously in the event’s
80-year history, while Sri Lanka was bidding to host the games for the
first time.
Lehmann told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the
Australian government and Australians were impressed with the
opportunity given to them to host the games again.
Lehmann said: “We are very proud and excited to be hosting the Commonwealth Games.
“Australia has a long history of hosting major sporting events, and
the state of Queensland, where the Games will be held, is quite
sports-crazy.
“It will be the fifth time we are hosting the Games, with the most
recent time being in Melbourne in 2006.
“All the major facilities are already in place, and I think at this
stage, there’s just some fine-tuning to be done. So, we are definitely
ready to host the Games.’’
According to him, the Gold Coast is rich in natural beauty, with
plenty of beaches, parks and outdoor activities for visitors.
Lehmann said that the Gold Coast, where the games had been scheduled
to hold, also had plenty of world-class restaurants and entertainment.
The High Commissioner added that the place was already a popular
tourist destination in its own right, with huge variety of hotels to
choose from.
He said: “I think Nigerians would love the weather, which is quite warm and
sunny, and the relaxed atmosphere that the Gold Coast is famous for.
“It’s well-known for its theme parks in particular, which families
are always keen about.’’