Strong Sri Lankan Team on its way to St. Kitts to push for 2018 bid

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, NOVEMBER 5TH 2011 (CUOPM) – A 100-strong Sri Lankan team, in a final push to win the 2018 Commonwealth Games host status, is on its way St. Kitts where the Games officials will announce their decision next Saturday.

The bid team which arrives at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport around 5 p.m. on Sunday 6th November, will hold talks with Games officials, It includes Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Namal Rajapaksa the parliamentarian from Hambantota, the city that seeks to host the Games, former cricketer Aravinda de Silva, world bowling record holder Muttiah Muralitharan, former sprinter Sriyani Kulawansa and several business leaders.

Also in the team are several artistes who will stage cultural shows as part of Sri Lanka’s attempt to outsmart Australia’s Gold Coast, the only other bidder, in what is expected to be a nail-biting finish.

A Sports Ministry official said Friday night Sri Lanka was optimistic that it would win the turn to host the Games. Gold Coast also is sending a team to St. Kitts for talks with Games officials.

Some 400 delegates from 71 countries are to attend the meeting which ends with the announcement of the successful bid.