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Glasgow (Scotland) and Abuja (Nigeria) are now locked in a fierce battle as who will win the right to host the 2014 Commonwealth games. The decision will be made on November 9 at Colombo (Sri Lanka).

The Scotsman reports that Casey believes the Scots had prevailed in the technical battle, but could not count on ultimate victory without “winning the hearts and minds” of the 71 national representatives who will determine the 2014 host city.

Among Glasgow’s assets are comments by SFA president George Peat that he would like to see Hampden Park’s capacity extended from 52,000 to 70,000 and a victorious 2014 bid would increase the chances of the reconstruction being undertaken. The Scotsman also reports that Tuesday a 29 million pound sports centre was given the go-ahead which, should Glasgow host the 2014 Games, would operate as a state-of-the-art preparatory base for the athletes.

“It’s a little different from the Olympics because the bidding cities were not allowed to travel to other countries and the IOC delegates weren’t allowed to come to London and Paris and so on. We have seen the voters much more in recent months and, hopefully, built up an atmosphere and a certainty that we will deliver a good Games”.

Admitting it’s still a tough fight Casey said the bid team will be working right up to the last moment in terms of speeches and presentation “to make sure we get the message across as strongly as possible”.

When asked to identify any area where Glasgow might trail Abuja he said, “one of the key elements of their case is that the Games have never been to Africa, and I think everyone, including us, has sympathy with that particular point. It’s up to the voters to decide. Our case, clearly, is that we believe Glasgow is the right place, at the right time, for 2014”.

Meanwhile hundreds of children marched in support of Glasgow’s bid Thursday. They waved flags from each of the 71 Commonwealth countries and territories as they marched from a primary school to a local shopping centre launching 250 balloons.

The march was intended to mirror the parade taken by athletes from all the participating countries at the Opening Ceremony of the Games.

Meanwhile A 70-member Nigerian delegation is in Colombo Sri Lanka attending the Commonwealth Games Federation’s selection for the host city of the 2014 Commonwealth Games – Abuja or Glasgow.

Mitchell Obi, spokesperson for the Abuja bid team, said that the Nigerian party will dwarf the Scottish contingent reportedly numbered at 46, adding “…we will also have a lot of supporters there from the private sector, from the banks, communications companies and beverage companies that are supporting our bid”.

Obi told the Scotsman that the final, crucial, presentation in the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo will contain a surprise or two. He said, “it will be something different, something refreshing, with its own colour and its own style”, adding “African style”.

Those back in Nigeria will have the opportunity of watching the live broadcast of Friday’s announcement. Obi said, “in special places we’ll have it on big screens with live music and everything. We’ll do it the African way”.

Patrick Ukah, marketing consultant to Abuja 2014 said, “I can assure you that Nigerians back home will not miss any second of the historic event as arrangements have been concluded to beam (the) announcement live from Colombo”.

(Source: Qatarolympics.org)