by Ndumiso Mlilo
JOHANNESBURG, March 13 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Durban will not host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) said Monday.
South Africa won the bid in mid 2016 after Canada withdrew to host the tournament. South Africa initially failed to appoint the local organizing committee with the required 180 days after the announcement and also failed to pay the initial deposit to the CGF.
In a statement emailed to Xinhua on Monday, the CGF confirmed that South Africa's bid has been withdrawn.
Louise Martin, president of the CGF, said the CGF is actively exploring alternative options, including a potential replacement host.
"The CGF will continue to have an open dialogue with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the Republic of South Africa and remains committed to realizing the shared ambitions of a future Commonwealth Games in Africa," said Martin.
CGF stated that the decision has been necessitated by key obligations and commitments in areas such as governance, venues, funding and risk management.
