Scotland wins 2014 Commonwealth Games battle

COLOMBO—Glasgow on Friday convincingly clinched the 2014 Commonwealth Games, shattering Nigeria’s hopes of becoming the first African nation to host the event.
The Scottish city received 47 votes against 24 for its only rival, Nigeria, at the Commonwealth Games Federation annual assembly in Sri Lanka, president Mike Fennell announced.
“The Glasgow bid was well prepared,” Fennel told reporters here. “It was thoroughly looked at. They understood the requirements of the game.”
Scotland’s largest city had been a favourite after receiving a strong report during a technical review by the Commonwealth Games committee in September.
Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond, who is leading the 70-member delegation, said the celebrations would go on late into the night.
“We will party very, very long tonight,” Salmond said. “There is jubilation taking place right now across the streets of Glasgow and the streets of Scotland. Every school has broadcast the day’s competition live.”
During a 30-minute presentation narrated by veteran actor Sean Connery, Glasgow said 70 percent of the infrastructure needed for the games was already in place and the city had won government backing to host the 300-million dollar event.
More than 400 delegates from 71 countries of the former British Empire ended five days of talks at a hotel in Colombo by announcing the winner at 1242 GMT. It had come down to only Glasgow and Abuja after the Canadian city of Halifax withdrew from the bidding process earlier this year.
Hundreds of people gathered to hear the result in Glasgow’s George Square, while motorists joined in the celebrations by blaring their horns.
It will be the first time Scotland’s largest city has staged the Games, although the capital Edinburgh hosted the event in 1970 and 1986.
Scottish politicians and athletes have been quick to underline the importance of the opportunity to showcase their country.
Salmond promised the event would be spectacular. “We will make these Games the greatest sporting event our country has ever seen,” he said.
“They will be our chance to show the whole world the very best of Scotland.”
The delegation from Abuja was confident its city would become the first in Africa to host the Commonwealth Games, which began in 1930 and are held every four years. But Glasgow won strong support after receiving positive reports during the technical evaluations of the rival bids.—Agencies