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2018 Commonwealths Update, England will not be hosting -

Ian Elliot, Chair of the England Water Polo Management Group, has provided us with this update today.

Ian advises, “When England Water Polo was informed 10 days ago that Malta was unable to hold the Commonwealth Water Polo Competition, we took it upon ourselves to look seriously to try and find an alternative venue. We engaged with our partners in Manchester to review the logistics and costs involved in hosting such a significant event.

Manchester were very keen to look at this opportunity, however it has been challenging, and ultimately we have concluded it will not possible to host the Commonwealth Games Water Polo championship in the City later this year.

There are logistical complications as Manchester Aquatics Centre is a very busy education swimming and community centre as well as a major event venue. In addition, other Manchester swimming pools are under refurbishment, putting further pressure on pool time at the Aquatics Centre. It is therefore with regret that we have concluded, we are unable to find a solution for the championships in England this year.

Yawar Abbas, Strategic Lead for Sport for Manchester City Council has stated that although Manchester was very keen find a solution and worked incredibly hard to identify budgets and appropriate time in the Aquatic Centre, on this occasion we have been unable to put together a viable event option. Yawar told us, “We do continue to support water polo as a key sport in the City, both at grassroots level and in the development of an international events strategy.”

Ian Elliot and the England Water Polo Management over the last few days have worked incredibly hard to try to make this work, however on this occasion it has not proved possible. Ian told us, “We recognise the disappointment which will be felt by athletes and supporters, and we will continue discussions with the other Commonwealth nations to see if another solution can be found.”

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