Secretary-General congratulates Glasgow on winning bid to host Commonwealth Games 2014
9 November 2007
Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon has congratulated the city of Glasgow, UK, on its winning bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. He has also commended Abuja, Nigeria, for its excellent bid.
He said the Commonwealth Games plays an important role in bringing together the peoples of the Commonwealth. “The ‘Friendly Games’ remind us in the Commonwealth just why we are friends, and why our language, our history and our institutions bind us together. They remind us, above all, of our shared beliefs: in freedom; in democracy and development; in supporting the poorer, the weaker, and the smaller among us. We are joined together as partners and as equals”.
Mr McKinnon said the Games can help to build bridges of friendship and understanding through sport. “Sport itself can empower young people. Besides developing healthy bodies through exercise and training, sport also helps to shape healthy minds and spirits through fair play, teamwork and respect for the rules of the game.”
“The Games are also an opportunity to bring together Commonwealth Sports Ministers to discuss sport as a tool for development and for building communities. The Commonwealth Advisory Board on Sport, CABOS, is another important channel for bringing sport into our Commonwealth health and education programmes,” he said.
“The Commonwealth Games 2006 in Melbourne were a resounding success. The 2010 Games to be held in New Delhi are expected to be another triumph. And so, I am sure, the 2014 Games in Glasgow will build upon this excellent legacy, and contribute further, especially to the future of young people in the Commonwealth,” said Mr McKinnon.
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- Commonwealth Sports Ministers MeetingCommonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma
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