Trinidad and Tobago has expressed interest in bidding for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The announcement was made by chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Commonwealth 2010 in Delhi, India’s Suresh Kalmadi, at closed door Sports Breakfast meeting during the recently held Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Trinidad in November. Kalmadi revealed that “Prime Minister Patrick Manning in his speech said he would like to host the Commonwealth Games in 2018. He made a bid right there in front of all of us.”
When asked what were the main criteria for hosting the games, Kalmadi said a country needs a strong financial backing. “Finance for one. That’s the main thing, and then your determination and will to create international class to the world,” he said. Kalmadi added he was not surprised by Manning’s interest in the games and if he wins the bid, he will give him all the advice and guidance he can. Asked if T&T would be able to prepare for an event of this magnitude, he said, “It depends on your government. If they are ready to come forward or not.”
India, which is hosting the 2010 games in Delhi next October, has already invested US$2 billion in the games. The event is expected to crate 2.5 million jobs and will attract about 100,000 tourists.
The host of the 2018 games will be announced at the General Assembly in Basseterre, St. Kitts, in November 2011. Other cities bidding for the games include Abuja, Nigeria, and Gold Coast, Australia.