Nigeria wants to become the first African country to host the Commonwealth Games, and President Bola Tinubu has once again stated that his country is prepared to host the Games in 2030.
The event, which was originally staged in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930, will also celebrate its centenary at the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
Donald Rukare, the president of Commonwealth Sports, announced earlier this month that India and Nigeria will compete for the right to host the 2030 Games after both nations met the August 31 deadline.
India proposed Ahmadabad as the potential host city, whereas Nigeria had pencilled in Abuja.
In an impassioned address to the Commonwealth, Tinubu called Nigeria the entryway to Africa and encouraged the organisation to acknowledge the continent’s pivotal role in the Games’ future.
In posts on his official social media sites, Tinubu stated, “To the Commonwealth family, it is time for Africa.”
“The Commonwealth Games have never been held on African soil in their 100-year history. A strong message that every Commonwealth region counts and that Africa is not just a part of the story but also essential to its future will be sent by hosting the Commonwealth Centenary Games in Nigeria in 2030.
The gateway is Nigeria. The stage is Africa. The family is the Commonwealth. Together, let’s create history in 2030. Let’s finish the Commonwealth unity circle. The dream needs to come true. Now is the moment.
In order to strengthen Nigeria’s candidacy to host the Commonwealth Games’ centenary in 2030, the country also gave an advance presentation to the Commonwealth Games Federation on Wednesday in London, UK.
The Nigerian team, headed by Director General Bukola Olopade and National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko, stressed that the bid was a chance to create a common legacy that embodies the ethos of the Commonwealth.
With a focus on sports excellence, the arts, international cultural interaction, leveraging a nascent creative economy, creating a new shared commonwealth heritage, and influencing the future of African youth, the delegates’ comprehensive offer was presented.
In a significant step towards hosting the Games, Nigeria also welcomed the Commonwealth Sport Bid Evaluation Committee to Abuja last Thursday.
At the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, President Tinubu formally welcomed the group on behalf of his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
