With the concept of turning the African nation right into a sporting reference, the Nigerian Olympic Committee revealed this week in an announcement that it has submitted an official Expression of Curiosity to host the centenary version of the Video games, a preliminary step earlier than addressing an official bid.
The objective is to make Abuja, the Nigerian capital, the host of the multi-sport occasion. The doc was delivered by the NOC to the Commonwealth Video games Federation (CGF), accountable for directing and overseeing the 2030 version. If the initiative prospers and an official bid is submitted and wins, Nigeria would change into the primary African nation to host these Video games.
NOC spokesperson Tony Nezianya defined on Monday that the subsequent steps to provoke a proper proposal rely upon receiving the help of the federal authorities of Nigeria. Likewise, he expressed his enthusiasm on the hypothetical case of such a situation occurring, as he believes Abuja would have a singular alternative to showcase its growth, enhance its international place, and invigorate its sports activities tradition.
It’s price remembering that the final time Nigeria hosted a significant multi-sport match was in 2003, when the All-Africa Video games had been held exactly within the capital. The expertise gained that 12 months served to display the African nation’s talent in successfully organising large-scale worldwide competitions.
To hold out the organisational work for the Video games, it could be essential to put money into all types of services, one thing that in response to the NOC wouldn’t solely revitalise the nation’s sports activities financial system but in addition go away lasting infrastructure for future generations. The bid would drive the development and modernisation of venues, transport techniques, and accommodation, a legacy that will be helpful in the long run for each athletes and the final inhabitants.
Up to now, Nigeria has solely as soon as bid to host the Commonwealth Video games, and that was in 2014, when the Scottish metropolis of Glasgow received the method and have become the host. This time, some extent in favour of the Nigerian undertaking is the shortage of international locations lately to host the Video games. Notably, for the 2026 version, the Australian state of Victoria withdrew as the unique host citing a big enhance in prices, so it was changed by Glasgow. The same scenario occurred in 2022, when Birmingham took the lead after Durban withdrew because of monetary issues.
