Tunku is part of a delegation from the CGF Executive Board who have jetted to Australia to look at the city's bid, which is competing against rivals Hambantota from Sri Lanka.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said as the organisation that is responsible for the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games, it was important the CGF Executive Board experience the best the Gold Coast has to offer.

"The CGF Executive Board are interested in understanding how the Games staff and officials, or 'Games Family', will move around the city and where they will be accommodated, so while they will visit the proposed venues and facilities they will also spend time touring a number of the Coast's accommodation options," she said.

"The focus of their itinerary is very similar to that of the voting delegates, however there is a much stronger concentration on the Games Family facilities and transport.

"The Gold Coast's Bid is very much about ensuring the athletes have the best Games experience possible, but we also want to show that our plans guarantee the Games Family will also have a fantastic experience.

"The city's range of world-class accommodation options, attractions and venues would provide staff and officials one of the best Games experiences if the Gold Coast were to win the Bid."

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Bid chairman Mark Stockwell said: "While the board members do not vote on who will host the 2018 Games, we still need to demonstrate to the CGF Executive Board how well placed the Gold Coast is to host the 2018 Games and how enthusiastic the city is about the Bid."

The final delegation to be received by the city, which will include representatives from the Asia region, will arrive on the Gold Coast on October 20, just a few weeks before the CGF General Assembly will vote in St Kitts or Nevis on who to award the Games to.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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