Commonwealth Games 2026: African nations ‘have the ability’ to host future events

There were distinct echoes of Durban’s aborted hosting of the 2022 Commonwealth Games when the Australian state of Victoria cancelled its plans to put on the 2026 edition.

Financial constraints were partly to blame when the South African coastal city was stripped of hosting rights in 2017, something which organisers in Victoria also said had driven their decision.

With an alternative host yet to be chosen for 2026, the future and relevance of the 93-year-old event has been called into question.

But Africa’s ability to one day accommodate the Games, and the will of leaders on the continent to see that happen, remain strong, according to one of the key figures involved in a potential new hosting bid – as long as “baby steps” are taken first.

“Quietly, at the back of our minds, we know we can deliver a world-class Commonwealth Games – so we will be looking into that,” Barry Hendricks, the president of South Africa’s Sports and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), told BBC Sport Africa.

“There are other countries on the continent that have the ability to do it, especially in North Africa. The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) still has hopes that Africa can host a Commonwealth Games.”