PRESIDENT OF the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) Christopher Samuda has heaped praise on the Scottish city of Glasgow for stepping up to play hosts for the 2026 Commonwealth Games following months of uncertainty surrounding where the games will be held.
“Glasgow’s rescue mission, backed by an experienced Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), led by President Chris Jenkins, has saved the day for the Commonwealth at play on the international stage. Glasgow’s 2014 delivery of the games made the city an appropriate candidate,” said Samuda.
The 2026 Games is set to be a ‘scaled down’ championships, which is expected to feature 10 to 13 sports in comparison to the 19 featured at the 2022 Games in Birmingham, England.
Despite the reduction in the number of sports, Samuda explained that he has full confidence that a stellar championships would be delivered.
“Yes, some may say with a scaled-down games the product is invariably at risk. But risk takers will tell you that if you manage and capitalise on the risk, it can become a viable investment for the future. So the Commonwealth Games Federation, I have no doubt, will rebrand and reframe the games in repositioning it as a leading sporting experience and in maintaining the games’ appeal while renewing the confidence of its stakeholders,” he added.
According to Jenkins, Glasgow will not be required to foot any significant spend as the CGF has already donated a hefty sum. Jenkins added that the organisers would work tirelessly to rebuild the games as a major championship event in the eyes of the public.
“At the heart of our discussions has been an investment of 100 million pounds from the Commonwealth Games Federation and the commitment that Glasgow 2026 would not require financial underwriting from either the Scottish or UK governments. We believe Glasgow 2026 will be an important first step in our commitment to reset and reframe the Commonwealth Games,” he suggested.
Samuda said the history of the Commonwealth Games made it important that a host be found.
“The preservation of the Commonwealth Games is important not only because it is an umbilical product of political history, but more importantly, it is a physical culture that underpins the values in sport and the value of sport that goes beyond racial, religious, territorial, ethnic, and political differences in unifying nations.”
