Sports

Search For New Commonwealth Games Host Under Way

Published

3 years ago

August 25, 2023

The Commonwealth Games Federation’s “main focus” is on finding a new host for the 2026 Games after settling its disputes with the Victorian government.

The Australian state withdrew as hosts last month, citing rising costs, and last week agreed to pay the CGF £190m.

The government of Alberta, the only confirmed potential bidder left for 2030, then halted its bid.

While the CGF’s search for a new host is now underway, the process is “still very much in the early stages”.

A CGF spokesperson said: “Now we have reached a settlement with the Victorian government, our main focus is on finding a solution for 2026 that is in the best interests of athletes and the wider Commonwealth sport movement.

“We have been particularly inspired by the huge support from around the world and the enthusiasm for the Games that has been expressed over the last few weeks and are working to turn that interest into a clear plan.”

Victoria planned to host a multi-hub regional event over 12 days but the cost had surpassed estimates by about 5bn Australian dollars (£2.6bn).

State premier Daniel Andrews said he was not prepared to spend a total of up to 7bn Australian dollars (£3.6bn) on the event.

A CGF statement added: “The parties also agreed that the multi-hub regional model was more expensive to host than the traditional models.”

Share on Facebook

Sports

Drogba, Amuneke, Eguavoen Lead African Legends’ Arrival in Lagos

Published

1 day ago

November 7, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With just one day to the much-anticipated Legends of Africa Football Game, Ivorian football icon Didier Drogba has arrived in Lagos, joining an impressive assembly of former African internationals already in the city ahead of Sunday’s star-studded encounter.

Drogba’s arrival further heightens anticipation for the game, which will bring together some of the continent’s most celebrated football figures at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

Also in Lagos are Nigerian football greats Mobi Oparaku, Emmanuel Amuneke, Emmanuel Babayaro, Garba Lawal, Austin Eguavoen and Mutiu Adepoju, alongside other members of the legendary Super Eagles generations of 1994 and 1996.

The African contingent also features distinguished names including Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor, Senegal’s El-Hadji Diouf, Ghana’s Stephen Appiah and Cameroon’s Rigobert Song, among other former international stars.

The excitement will extend beyond the legends’ reunion, with popular Nigerian entertainers and celebrities preparing for a special Celebrity Match as part of the event. Yhemolee, Sheggz, Jeriq, Teddy A and Charles Okocha are among the personalities set to feature in the celebrity fixture, scheduled to begin at 1:30pm.

The Celebrity Match will form part of a wider programme of activities designed to give fans a full day of football, entertainment and celebration before the main legends’ fixture, which kicks off at 5pm. Gates open at 1:30pm.

Organized by Toptier Sports Management in collaboration with Afreximbank and CANEX as part of CANEX WKND 2026, the game will feature 15 Nigerian legends taking on 13 African icons in a celebration of the players whose achievements helped shape the history of football on the continent.

Beyond the match, the programme includes a football clinic involving 500 young players, entertainment and special recognition for the heroes of African football.

The Legends of Africa Football Game promises a memorable gathering of football royalty, bringing together generations of fans to celebrate the enduring legacy of the continent’s finest players.

Share on Facebook