Delegates from the Africa Region of the Commonwealth spoke of their excitement at hearing the plans for Glasgow to host the Commonwealth Games in 2014 today.

The visitors, from 14 African countries, are in Scotland on a four day visit to inspect venues, tour sporting facilities and receive presentations on everything from the security plans to the medical facilities that make up Glasgow’s Bid.

Speaking at a press conference at Hampden, Scotland’s National Stadium, where track and field events would take place should Glasgow win the Games, Major General Francis Nyangweso, President of the National Olympic Committee of Uganda, and Victor M Shabangu, Secretary-General of the Swaziland National Olympic Committee said the Glasgow bid is “very impressive”.

Major General Nyangweso said: “I am very much impressed and I think that Glasgow is really prepared for the Games. The area where they are going to build the village is tremendous.”
“Glasgow has the technology, they have the man power, experienced man-power, they have the people behind them and the government behind them.”

And Mr Shambungu of Swaziland added that the people of Glasgow are “definitely behind the bid.”
“I’m very impressed. The vision Glasgow is pressing is combining the interests of the athletes and the people of Glasgow.
“It is very important for citizens of the host [country] to be aware of what is happening.
“Glasgow definitely has the experience and the capability to host the Games. What matters the most is the ability to put up a good games, and Scotland has a lot of passion.”

Representatives from 14 countries - Botswana, Cameroon, The Gambia, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia - will be in Glasgow until Sunday.