THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES: ECONOMIC AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
The Commonwealth is a distinct and distinguished organization. It consists at least 69 countries with 1.5 billion people, or a quarter of the world's population, from diverse cultures.
It is the only international grouping outside the United Nations that brings together developed and developing countries from around the world.
Member countries range in size from India at 860 million people to Norfolk Island in the south Pacific with 1,800 people.
The honour of having conceived a scheme for a British Empire Sports Festival (as it was known then) belongs to an Englishman, J Astley Cooper, who in August 1891, in the magazine Greater Britain, outlined a plan for what he described as a 'Pan-Britannic Festival'. This proposal attracted a great deal of attention throughout Great Britain and the colonies, and was elaborated by Mr Cooper in a lengthy letter to the London Times of October 30, 1891, and in the Nineteenth Century magazine of September 1892. In Australia the idea was taken up by B J Parkinson in Victoria and by Richard Coombes, the grand old man of Australian athletics, and who for 35 years was President of the Amateur Athletic Union of Australia, in New South Wales.
In his letter to The Times, Mr Cooper said: "I have taken into consideration the fact that the future relationship of the various portions of the Empire rests chiefly in the hands of the young men of the Empire - of young Britain, young Australia, young South Africa, young Canada - and that Imperial Athletic contests would be very attractive to most Britishers, whether settled in the United Kingdom or resident beyond the seas. I also believe that such a contest between selected representatives of the English-speaking races could command more general attention and be more popular than any other contest which could be arranged."
The Commonwealth was established in 1931, when the Statute of Westminster legalized a 1926 conference declaration that all countries participating in the Commonwealth--Australia, Britain, Canada, Ireland, Newfoundland, New Zealand, and South Africa--must be self-governing nations.
During World War II, the struggle for freedom had a profound effect on all countries and a decolonization period began.
India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka gained their independence in 1947, and opted to be part of the Commonwealth, making it a richer and wider association of independent states.
The Commonwealth had its greatest growth period in the 1960s and 1970s when 32 nations joined, for a total of 43 nations by 1980.
Although diverse in terms of cultures, languages, and races, Commonwealth countries have similar objectives:
international peace and order; equal rights to all citizens and liberty of the individual; opposition to colonial domination and racial oppression; and, a resolve to achieve a fairer global society.
All member countries strive to enhance the interests of their peoples, and to help them build a better world.
And, while all Commonwealth members are equal and free to follow their own policies, they must subscribe to common ideals which were set by member countries' leaders in 1971.
Queen Elizabeth II is head of the Commonwealth and is recognized as such by the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth's roots lie not in governments, but in the fellowship of peoples. Ever since 1977, member countries have celebrated Commonwealth Day on the second Monday in March, which is the only day when children in all member countries are in school at the same time.
Economic Benefits
The economic benefits of hosting the Games are numerous. There will be a demand on every conceivable service/opportunities particularly for the host country. The setup cost for the Game is estimated to be US 425 million.
Despite the current economic slow down, we expect large cash infusions to the local economy. Heads of governments, royalty, VIPs , participants, officials, media, visitors, and corporate sponsors are expected to spend up to $US 34 million on hospitality, hotels and shopping during the 11 days.
We estimate that more than 48,000 visitors will come to Malaysia for the Games and they will spend $US 10 million on food and $US 2 million on others (we have taken the exchange rate at 1 US at RM 4). They will book up to 500,000 bednights in hotels/motels. About 6,000 world class athletes are taking part in the event
With World attention on Malaysia, tourism, hospitality and service industries will benefit before and after the Games with increased bookings for conferences and conventions by international delegates, media, and corporate sponsors.
We expect substantial revenues from broadcast rights holders from other countries to produce more than 400 million viewers. These broadcasters will produce documentaries on the local culture, attractions, and beauty of the Kuala Lumpur area and throughout Malaysia.
Our informal economic impact study (taking account the economic slowdown) shows the Games is expected to generate an extra $US 100 million dollars in economic activities during and after the period for up to 3 years.
In addition, it has already created employment for 3,800 person (new employment), with 1,000 persons employed in the construction industry alone.
Human Development
The benefits of the Games on human development are enormous as stated in the original intentions of the Games. More so given the increasing violent world with the recent hate bombing of US embassies as well as separatist bombing in Ireland and racial related rioting in Indonesia as recent examples.
Sports involve young people in their communities and provide them with healthy outlets for their natural vitality. It also encourages co-operative spirit in competition. This is the only way that people can compete and yet not get hurt at the same time. It promotes skills, leadership and exercise at in one.
Sports allow the young to join organized structures and inspire them to achieve their personal best in other areas of their lives, including school. Many have shown potential leading to careers as professionals in their later lives.
Sports also plays a positive role in addressing discrimination and gender inequality. The opportunities for improving cross-cultural understanding are immense.
Most importantly, sports promote national unity, by bringing all Malaysians together to work on a common goal and to share in the pride of being a Malaysian.