Background
The former Nigerian leader General Yakubu Gowon was the head of the Abuja 2014 Commonwealth Games bid team, he called for all Nigerians to support the games for the "glory of Nigeria". He suggested that Nigeria would be a prime location for the games because of its unity, serenity, topography and availability of standard sporting facilities. Abuja had recently hosted the All-Africa Games, The African regional version of the olympics, for which it constructed a world-class olympic stadium and games village. It was a hugely successful tournament with more than 7,000 athletes (and larger in size than any Commonwealth Games ever held). The 2014 Commonwealth Games would also be an integral part of national celebration plans for Nigeria's centenary.
The Abuja bid received strong support from African Commonwealth members (which make up the bulk of the Commonwealth) as well as Australia, in what would be the largest multi-sport event to be held thus far on the continent. Despite its number of members, no African country has ever hosted the games and is that last major continent, excluding South America never to have acted as host. The website, www.abuja2014.org simple said "...completing the Commonwealth Games Circle"
An article from Jonathan Clayton of the Times said:
| “ | Most of the facilities are already in place, including a modern stadium of a much higher standard than those of many Barclaycard Premiership clubs, and a water-sports complex with a diving pool and an Olympic-size racing pool. There is also a velodrome, hockey pitch with AstroTurf and all-surface tennis courts, restaurants and viewing areas. The facilities, originally built for the 2003 All Africa Games at a cost of £150 million, but possibly much more, are immaculately maintained by a team of dedicated workers. | ” |
Abuja airport would be modernised to cater for the sheer capacity of the influx due to the games. This would further boost their bid to host the games. A state of the art light rail transit system was included in the bid documents. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration announced that it had awarded a $841m contract for the construction of the system, which would be completed by 2012.
The Abuja 2014 Bid Committee issued a list of 17 sports that they planned to host:
- Aquatics (Swimming and Diving)
- Athletics
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Boxing
- Cycling (Road, Mountain and Track)
- Gymnastics (Artistic and Rhythmic)
- Field hockey
- Judo
- Bowls
- Netball
- Rugby sevens
- Shooting
- Squash
- Table Tennis
- Weightlifting
- Wrestling
The Abuja 2014 Commonwealth Games Bid, led by General Yakubu Gowon, submitted the Abuja 2014 Candidature File (Bid Book) on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 to the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Michael Fennel, at a ceremony in London where Glasgow also submitted its Candidature File. Members of the Commonwealth Games Federation Executive Board and representatives of the Scotland and Nigeria Communities were also present at the ceremony.
Read more about this topic: Abuja Bid For The 2014 Commonwealth Games
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