Cape Town bids as host city for World Games 2017 MyZA

The City of Cape Town’s Sport, Recreation and Amenities Department, in conjunction with various other City, national and provincial partners, has submitted a highly professional bid document to the International World Games Association (IWGA), to host the World Games 2017, in Cape Town.

The World Games is a multidisciplinary sport event consisting of non-Olympic sports, held every four years since 1981, organised by the IWGA, under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee. In 2009 it included 37 sports, with 103 countries participating, and its success continues to grow. In 2013, the event will take place in Cali, Colombia, in South America. It will be held over 11 days at various venues across Cali.

The World Games is a unique format based on principles of viability and sustainability. The events are to be staged at existing venues and the host city is not required to build new facilities specifically for the World Games. Should Cape Town be successful with the 2017 bid, the City has committed to limit the financial impact on ratepayers.

Cape Town boasts world-class venues, a sport-loving population, a stable government, proven experience in hosting major events, thousands of volunteers, tremendous spirit and great opportunities for community development. The 2017 World Games will take place in the host city from 6 to 16 July 2017.

The City would like to introduce the various sports to our communities to ensure that by 2017 disciplines such as boules, karate, dancing and orienteering are well established.

Representatives from the IWGA visited Cape Town in August 2011 to assess its suitability as a host city. The final decision and official announcement of the host city for 2017 will take place on 11 and 12 January 2012, in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Further sport disciples are being considered for the upcoming World Games. The various sports that took place in 2009 were: