Ghana seeking to be the first African nation to host Commonwealth Games

Ghana seeking to be the first African nation to host Commonwealth Games

Abigael Wafula 13:00 - 10.04.2024

Ghana will be looking to be the first African nation to host the Commonwealth Games as the organisers of the 2026 edition of the event plan to announce the host of the event in May.

Ghana hopes to be the first nation to host the Commonwealth Games following delays and rejection from Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, and other nations ahead of the 2026 edition of the event.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) announced that the 2026 Commonwealth Games will be awarded a host in May and Ghana will be hoping to be in the run.

Meanwhile Ghana’s Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif during an interview, explained that his nation is ready to step in after successfully hosting the African Games in 2023.

“In fact, the president of Commonwealth Games was in Ghana. He has visited our facilities and held a meeting with my good self. I even had the opportunity of even attending some of their meetings.

“And their programs, they want the African nation. They said it is time for Africa to host the Commonwealth Games and Ghana, we have the facilities now,” Ussif told GHOne TV.

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Durban in South Africa had been elected to be the first African nation to host the Games in 2022 but was later stripped of that honour when milestone payments were missed.

“The Commonwealth Games Federation is pleased to confirm that it is considering multiple proposals to Host the 2026 Games.

“Significant progress has been made and we are excited by the early concepts, which aim to reset and reframe the Games,” a statement read.

No potential hosts have been named but the CGF said they are working with relevant Commonwealth Games Associations (CGA) and have mutual agreements. Now the CGF has offered any host nation £100 million ($126 million) to stage the 2026 event on short notice.

“Alongside this process, the CGF continues to accelerate work to refresh the Games, a key commitment of Commonwealth United, our Strategic Plan, 2023-2034, including exploring innovative new concepts and event opportunities and consulting with leaders across the global sporting landscape.

“Importantly, we have been focusing on how we can transform the Games to a collaborative and truly sustainable model, minimizing costs and reducing its environmental footprint, whilst increasing social impact.

“Through this work, we aim to create a modern, flexible blueprint for the future that inspires athletes, excites International Federations and potential Hosts, and is in the best interests of the wider Commonwealth Sports Movement,” the statement further read.

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