By Anton Rippon
SJA members looking to cover the 2022 Commonwealth Games will be pleased to know that the Commonwealth Games Federation Coordination Commission this week underlined their confidence that Birmingham will deliver a fantastic games, while at the same time acknowledging that, with little over two and a half years until the event begins, preparations are now entering the ‘crucial phase’.
The Commission, which is tasked with monitoring games delivery to scope, schedule and budget while providing support and advice to partners, visited Birmingham this week and praised the work that has been undertaken so far.
Coordination Commission chair, Bruce Robertson, said: “I can say with real confidence that Birmingham 2022 will stage a fantastic games and that people across the West Midlands, the UK, the entire Commonwealth and beyond should start getting excited about this event.
“The level of open, transparent and supportive collaboration across the delivery partnership is unprecedented in my experience and I am particularly impressed with the commitment to legacy and benefits.
“Naturally there are risks to be managed as Birmingham 2022 has always had a shortened time frame to deliver these games. We are now entering the crucial phase across the next six months where key construction projects are the priority. There is certainly no time to lose.
“This is something that we see across all major sporting events. The Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee, led by chairman John Crabtree and CEO Ian Reid, deserve huge credit for what they have achieved so far, and I would like to thank them for working so honestly and openly with us.
“Birmingham 2022 can be confident, not complacent; however I believe the West Midlands has all the ingredients to host a truly memorable event that will leave a lasting legacy for the region and the wider Commonwealth.”
The Coordination Commission’s next visit is due to take place in June 2020.