Goff rules out Auckland Commonwealth Games

Fireworks make the end of the closing ceremony at Hampden Park, making the end of the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Photo / Greg Bowker

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff has ruled out the city stepping in to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, should Durban fall over as the host city.

South Africa's sports minister Fikile Mbalula has cast major doubt on the Games, because of the costs involved.

He says he doesn't want to raise expectations and say everything looks good, because it doesn't.

"We gave it our best shot but we can't go beyond. If the country says we don't have this money, we can't," Reuters quoted Fikile Mbalula as saying.

Goff has told Radio Sport that 2022 would be too soon for Auckland to host the Games with the city already under incredible fiscal and infrastructure pressure.

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However, Goff says that's not to say the city won't bid for any Commonwealth Games in the future.