Achi news desk-
The Herald on Sunday revealed in October that the UK had implemented a four-country rescue plan which would involve events being held in Glasgow.
Although a request from the province of Alberta in Canada failed to materialize, the Scottish Government has already been in discussions with the Scottish Commonwealth Games and Glasgow City Council regarding the event returning to the city that hosted it in 2014.
Organizers are expected to announce their ‘proposed host’ this month according to Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray.
Now, it is suggested that the games could be held without money from the public purse paying for it.
Mr Gray said cash from the Commonwealth Games Federation, along with “commercial income” from the event, could cover costs.
During a parliamentary meeting this morning, a member of the SNP’s backbenches, John Mason, asked for an update on behalf of the Scottish Government in the proposals for Glasgow to possibly host the Games in 2026.
Mr Gray said: “The federation said they intend to announce a decision in May 2024. If Scotland is then considered the only viable option, then steps will be taken to gather additional information and assurances to enable the Scottish Government to confirm or otherwise its support to proceed.
“The Scottish Commonwealth Games concept offers a significantly reduced budget of around £135m, with £100m taken from the Commonwealth Games Federation, along with commercial income and not from the public purse.”
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Labor MP Paul Sweeney praised the Scottish Government’s proposals but said he was disappointed it did not include an athletes’ village which was ‘one of the great legacies of the 2014 games.
He suggested that the Scottish Government should be using the opportunity to focus state investment on speeding up the regeneration of ‘currently derelict sites in Glasgow which are already in the pipeline for redevelopment’ and use them as an athletes’ village .
Mr Sweeney suggested the Red Road or Cowlairs areas.
Mr Gray said that the timetables and the public finance situation should continue to be the focus to ensure that the proposal is successful.
He added: “Glasgow’s legacy in 2014 was extraordinary, and the city already has a world-class reputation as a host.
“The infrastructure that is already in place puts Glasgow in a good position, but if Glasgow is the preferred location, we have to consider the timetable and what we will be able to offer that is compatible with what the federation is looking for. ”
