Comm Games still relevant, claims CEO

Commonwealth Games CEO David Grevemberg. Photo / Getty

The Commonwealth Games are as relevant as ever says the federation's chief executive David Grevemberg.

Representatives from 71 Commonwealth nations and territories have gathered in Auckland this week for the annual general assembly of the Commonwealth Games Federation.

Addressing media at Auckland's Pullman Hotel ahead of the general assembly, in which members will vote on key issues facing the movement, Grevemberg said the vision for 2022 was "much, much bigger" than the games themselves.

His assurances come following concerns the games are losing relevance and failing to attract top athletes, and the future of the games beyond 2018 was in doubt when no cities appeared willing to host the 2022 games.

Durban is now in the process of securing the 2022 event after putting forward the only bid.

Grevemberg said community focus and Commonwealth pride was a major focus for 2022 and beyond.

"I had a very clear directive from the board at that time to implement a strategy moving forward," he said.

"The new vision of the organisation that we're putting forward is very simple: building peaceful, sustainable and prosperous communities globally while inspiring Commonwealth athletes to drive the impact and ambition of all Commonwealth citizens through sport."

Part of that innovation will see the number of sporting categories raised from 10 to 16, with optional sports able to be added.

Grevemberg said this would mean more certainty for athletes and more chances for connections with international federations.

"Ultimately it makes the games more sustainable."

Grevemberg outlined the organisation's four priorities; to host innovative and inspirational games, to practice good governance, to work to have strong partnerships and to create a value brand.

He said the priorities' strength was in its simplicity.

"That framework, that structure, that idealism, that's what we'll be aspiring to in terms of how we run our games and a movement that's inspiring."

Grevemberg said the organisation aimed to develop strong relationships with international federations and proposed to implement a Commonwealth ranking system in order to attract top athletes.

"We need to be innovative, engaged and certainly agile."

"You need to create a platform ... that's relevant and resonant.. it needs to have scope and scale in terms of media and broadcast and outreach."

He said being a Commonwealth athlete went beyond high performance and athletes should engage with their communities to inspire amateur athletes as well as the general public.

"We believe that will be the piece in the puzzle [for attracting top level athletes]."