MEDIA RELEASE
HAMBANTOTA 2018 LAUNCHES LIFE-CHANGING LEGACY PLAN
- FINAL DAY OF CGF EVALUATION COMMISSION VISIT-
30 June 2011 – Sri Lanka’s bid to host its first Commonwealth Games will leave a life-changing legacy for its 20 million people, according to a Hambantota 2018 Legacy Plan published today – the final day of the visit by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Evaluation Commission.
Titled ‘Enhancing Lives and Transforming a Nation’, the plan outlines how the tear-drop shaped nation will harness the power of sport and the benefits of becoming a host city before, during and after the event. It includes visions for four inter-related legacy themes – sport, society, the economy, and environment – with objectives, targets and actions/programmes for each.
Those under ‘Sport’ will see the already under construction Sports City and associated infrastructure matching the best in world. Such investment will support a comprehensive sporting events calendar. Games-related development programmes will promote sport for all, encourage increased and sustained levels of participation, and identify and develop talent. And there will be investment at grassroots level through in schools, development of local sports clubs, up-skilling of coaches and greater involvement of National Sports Federations at all levels.
‘Social & Education’ actions include the introduction of Games-related education programmes in schools. An international exchange programme for young people across the Commonwealth will foster goodwill, promote understanding of different cultures and endorse the Commonwealth values. And a University housed in the futuristic Sports City will specialise in Sports Science, Sports Technology and Sport Business, offering entrance credit for talented athletes; it will also seek to retain talent in the country, increase entrepreneurs and promote young, innovative businesses.
Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Hambantota 2018 Organising Committee Co-Chairman and Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, said: “Hosting the Games in Hambantota will make a real difference. We will use the Games as a catalyst for social change, to accelerate our existing long term economic development plans, and most importantly to deliver wide ranging benefits to all our society and help change people’s lives. Our Legacy Plan shows how we will do so in a manner that befits an initiative driven by the ideals of the Commonwealth – Humanity, Equality, Destiny – and underpinned by our credo for 2018: ‘Together. From the heart.’”
The development of Hambantota and the surrounding area is already starting to deliver significant city infrastructure projects including new roads and rail routes, the Hambantota International Airport and the Hambantota Seaport. Further developments cited under ‘City Infrastructure & Economic Development’ include a new IT/business park and will support substantial future investment in hotels, retail and the business/commercial sector. Increased foreign economic investment into Hambantota as it becomes one of five ‘metro cities’ and an economic hub to do business in and from – to Asia – will create exciting opportunities for the national workforce.
‘Environmental Protection & Enhancement’ programmes include innovative approaches to city planning, utility resourcing and supply and sustainable design and environmental protection, with the development of the ‘new city’ offering a unique blank canvas.
Sri Lanka's Sports Minister and Co-Chairman of the Organising Committee, Hon. Mahindananda Aluthgamage, added: “We want to set new standards in legacy planning for the Commonwealth Games movement. These standards reflect our passion, commitment and aspirations to harness the power and ambition of the Commonwealth Games movement to help create opportunities and outcomes that enrich the lives of people. But our Legacy Plan is not just about Hambantota and Sri Lanka. These visions will transcend the Commonwealth, especially to emerging and developing nations, reaching out to new communities with new opportunities.”
The Hambantota 2018 Legacy Plan is intrinsically linked to existing long term development plans. ‘Taking Sri Lanka to 2020’ addresses the recovery from 26 years of internal conflict; The Greater Hambantota Development Plan’ sets out to open up the region as a gateway to Asia; and a new Seven Year Strategic Plan for Sport aims to transform the overall sporting landscape of Sri Lanka – the ultimate goal being to be amongst the top three medal winning Commonwealth countries in 2018. Its progress will be overseen by a Legacy Commission comprising representatives from government departments, public sector organisations and private sector companies.
The Plan was launched by Hambantota 2018 Co-Chairs Governor Cabraal and Minister Aluthgamage at a ceremony in honour of the CGF Evaluation Commission at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel in Colombo. The CGF Evaluation Commission departs the ‘island jewel of the Indian ocean’ today having spent four days assessing its capability of hosting the Games in 2018. The CGF is due to choose the host city at its meeting in St Kitts and Nevis on 11 November 2011.
For more information on Hambantota 2018 visit: www.hambantota2018.com
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors
The Hambantota 2018 Legacy Plan ‘Enhancing Lives and Transforming a Nation’ includes four inter-related legacy themes:
1. Sport;
2. Social and Education;
3. City Infrastructure & Economic Development; and
4. Environmental Protection & Enhancement.
The vision and headline objectives for each of the four inter-related legacy themes are:
1. Sport
Vision: For the Games to act as a catalyst to develop Sports City, a new venue for world sport and provide a launch pad for Sri Lanka’s Seven Year Strategic Plan for Sport, transforming the sporting landscape, inspiring athletes and promoting sport at all levels and across all sports.
Headline objectives:
- To develop a world-class Sports City in Hambantota that meets the needs of all users in legacy mode – elite and developing athletes from home and abroad, university, local community and resident population
- To win more medals and support improved levels of performance by Sri Lankan athletes across the Commonwealth sports
- To use the Games as a platform to attract and stage events in Hambantota, the Southern Province and Sri Lanka
- To use the Games as a catalyst to encourage and increase levels of participation, particularly amongst young people and women, with clear progression routes along the participant pathway from grassroots through to elite performance
- To produce and support the ongoing development of world leading coaches, officials and sports administrators
- To implement the Athlete Training and development Support Programme for participants from across the Commonwealth
- To develop a monitoring and evaluation system for future monitoring of the development of Sri Lankan sport
2. Social & Education
Vision: To use the Games and sport as a catalyst for social change, promoting a culture where sport, education, healthy lifestyles and personal development are integral to people’s everyday lives and providing new opportunities, particularly for women and young people.
Headline objectives:
- To empower communities through promoting opportunities for community involvement and fostering a culture of volunteering
- To use the Games to raise awareness of the values of the Commonwealth Games Movement through education programmes
- To develop a sport and business focused University
3. City Infrastructure & Economic Development
Vision: To deliver significant major infrastructure that supports Hambantota’s economic development and growth, promoting new investment, tourism and contributing to the economic growth of the District, Province and country.
Headline objectives:
- To develop new city infrastructure to support economic growth, promote further investment and raise the international profile
- To create new business opportunities, attract inward investment, encourage innovation, create new jobs, strengthen Hambantota’s position within Sri Lanka and Asia
- To enhance Hambantota’s and Sri Lanka’s profile as a tourist destination, increasing tourism spend and length of stay as well as promoting higher standards in the hospitality industry
- To enhance the training and development of business, IT and sports management professionals to help retain talent nationally and promote reverse migration
4. Environmental Protection & Enhancement
Vision: To use the Games to introduce and raise awareness of existing and new environmental protection initiatives that will transform Hambantota into one of Sri Lanka’s greenest cities – a beacon of excellence for other developing and emerging Commonwealth countries.
Headline objectives:
- To use the Games as a catalyst to enhance environmental standards and sustainability energy practices
- To increase environmental awareness and participation in environmental protection programmes
- To protect the local biodiversity and wildlife through strategic urban planning
- To ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of these environmental commitments
About the Hambantota 2018 emblem and strapline
The Hambantota 2018 emblem features eight pairs of hands in the colours of the CGF. Each pair of hands is pressed together, palms together and fingers pointed outwards. This symbolises Añjali Mudrā, the hand gesture practiced throughout Asia and the continent’s eight Commonwealth members; it has the same meaning as the customary spoken Sanskrit greeting Namaste. The design also depicts the similar Ayubowan gesture, a cultural symbol of Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan hospitality. The bid strap line is ‘Together. From the heart.’
The Hambantota 2018 emblem and strapline are available on request as jpeg and/or eps files.
For further information on Hambantota 2018 visit www.hambantota2018.com
Media contact:
Malcolm Munro
+44 (0) 207 861 3217
+44 (0) 7795 013 006
Edd Ross
+44 (0) 207 861 3133
+44 (0) 7980 011 357
+44 (0) 7980 011 357