It was thrilling here in the huge Ball Room at the St Kitts Marriot Resort as the outgoing Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Mike Fennell of Jamaica, after criminally joking around for what seemed like an eternity, eventually announced the Gold Coast as the hosts of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Their sole rivals, Hambantota of Sri Lanka, put up a valiant fight which Gold Coast 2018 bid chairman Mark Stockwell was the first to acknowledge.

They truly did make a compelling argument to take the event to Sri Lanka.

But in the end, the Gold Coast were worthy victors.

Rightly or wrongly, Hambantota were compared to Delhi and the 2010 Commonwealth Games which most people would like to forget.

It was perhaps a tad unfair, but you could see the risk involved given that only one venue was built for a potential 2018 Commonwealth Games had been built meaning that there would have to be an outrageous construction process involved to have things ready in time.

In stark contrast, the Gold Coast offered a stunning setting, already has in place a number of elite sporting facilities and also has huge experience in hosting major competitions.

Couple that with amazing weather and the most welcoming hospitality – which I was fortunate enough to experience when I visited the city earlier this year – and you can safely bet that the Gold Coast will host a superb event in seven years' time.

The decision is also just reward for the hugely likeable Stockwell and also the bid chief executive Mark Peters, who have worked so hard to provide the Commonwealth with an offer they couldn't turn down.

One now hopes they are now involved in the next stage of the process as they truly deserve to be. Fortunately, that looks increasing likely with Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, the decision maker on the issue, known to be a huge supporter of the duo.

It was typical of Stockwell, a former Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medallist in swimming, to pay tribute to his vanquished foe when I asked him the question at the winning press conference.

"At the same time as celebrating victory, I really want to pay tribute to Hambantota," he said genuinely.

"At times in their presentation, I actually wanted to vote for them because they were so convincing and were speaking from the heart.

"But we put so much heart and so much hard work into our bid so I think we really deserved that victory."

For their part, Hambantota kindly congratulated the Gold Coast heartily.


"Congratulations to Mark and his team, I am sure they will host a fantastic event in 2018," said Hambantota 2018 co-chairman Ajith Nivard Cabraal, a man who truly did not deserve to be on the losing side.

"It is disappointing of course that we will not see a Hambantota Games in 2018.

"But we have said all along that bidding for these prestigious Games is a key part of an exciting and progressive journey in Sri Lanka.

"Together we have embarked on a new era and we will make good our promise to rejuvenate the region regardless of this outcome.

"We are talking about something transformational; something that will help build a better tomorrow for all our people."

It was nice to hear the last part of Cabraal's statement.

The story they told is amazing and one truly hope they return to bid again.

As Fennell himself said: "Hambantota was a very strong bid, and we have a duty to take the Games to new places, but the bid needs to be the right thing for the Commonwealth Games Movement at the right time.

"This time Gold Coast was successful, but I hope Hambantota consider bidding again - their team were wonderful."

A time will certainly come to expand the Commonwealth Games Movement, with whispers of a South Africa 2022 bid growing.

But for now, a strong, safe Commonwealth Games in 2018 in a beautiful city feels just right.

So well done Hambantota but congratulations to Mark Stockwell and his entire team.

You are truly worthy of victory.

Tom Degun is a reporter for insidethegames